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NOVEMBER  1956 


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'The  Voice  of  the  Church" 


VOLUME  59 


NUMBER  11 


rfovema 


1956 


Editors:  DAVID   O.  McKAY     -     RICHARD   L.  EVANS 

Managing  Editor:  DOYLE  L.  GREEN 

Associate  Managing  Editor:  MARBA  C.  JOSEPHSON 

Production     Editor:    ELIZABETH    J.     MOFFITT 

Research  Editor:  ALBERT  L.  ZOBELL,  JR. 

Manuscript  Editor:  EILEEN  GIBBONS 

Contributing  Editors:  ARCHIBALD  F.  BENNETT     -     G.  HOMER  DURHAM 

FRANKLIN   S.   HARRIS,   JR.     -     MILTON  R.  HUNTER     -     HUGH   NIBLEY 

LEE  A.  PALMER     -     CLAUDE  B.  PETERSEN     -     SIDNEY  B.   SPERRY 

General  Manager:  ELBERT  R.  CURTIS     -     Associate  Manager:  BERTHA  S.  REEDER 

Business  Manager:   VERL  F.  SCOTT 
Subscription  Director:  A.  GLEN  SNARR 
Regional    Advertising    Representative:    THAYER   EVANS 


THE   EDITOR'S  PAGE 

Mission  of  the  Church  and  Its  Members     .President  David  O.  McKay  781 

CHURCH   FEATURES 

Your  Question:  The  Sons  of  God  and  the  Daughters  of  Men 

— Joseph  Fielding  Smith  782 

The  Church  Moves  On  777      Melchizedek  Priesthood 860 

Presiding  Bishopric's  Page  862 

60TH  ANNIVERSARY  FEATURES 

The  First  Presidency Marba  C.  Josephson 

The  Twelve  Apostles  _ Joseph  Fielding  Smith 

The  Patriarchal  Priesthood  Joseph  Fielding  Smith 

Assistants  to  the  Council  of  the  Twelve  Apostles  ...Spencer  W.  Kimball 

The  Seventy  and  the  First  Council  Antoine  R.  Ivins 

History  and  Functions  of  the  Presiding  Bishopric  ...Joseph  L.  Wirthlin 

The  Church  Historian's  Office A.  William  Lund 

The  Unified  Church  School  System  Edwin  J.  Butterworth 

The  Relief  Society Belle  S.  Spafford 

The  Deseret  Sunday  School  Union ._ ..George  R.  Hill 

The  YMMIA  Association Elbert  R.  Curtis  802 

The  Growth  of  the  YWMIA Bertha  S.  Reeder  804 

From  a  Little  Rock  Church  to  the  World — The  Growth  of  the  Primary 

Association LaVern  W.  Parmley 

The  Genealogical  Society Mark  E.  Petersen 

Welfare  in  the  Church Alfred  W.  Uhrhan 

The  Tabernacle  Choir  (A  Chronology)  812 

The  General  Music  Committee  of  the  Church  ..■ Tracy  Y.  Cannon  814 

Profiles  of  the  General  Authorities  of  the  Church 815 

Editorial 

"The  Improvement  Era"  60th  Year  of  Publication DLG  and  MCJ  783 

SPECIAL  FEATURES 

The  Christ  Child  Is  Born— MIA  Reading  Course:  Jesus  the  Christ — V 

Doyle  L.   Green  816 

There  Were  Jaredites — "Our  Own  People" Hugh  Nibley  818 

Man  and  the  Gospel— (A  Reprint) .B.  H.  Roberts  820 

Spoken  Word  from  Temple  Square .  ...Richard  L.  Evans  840,  846,  856,  876 


784 
786 
789 
790 
792 
794 
795 
796 
798 
800 


806 
808 
810 


Exploring  the  Universe,  Franklin  S. 

Harris,  Jr 773 

These  Times:     Volume  One,  G. 

Homer  Durham  774 

STORIES, 


Today's  Family — 

Snacks:   Snappy  and  Satisfying, 

Josephine  B.  Nichols  868 

The  Magic  Circle,  Ethel  Hopper  ..873 

POETRY 


To  Walk  Uprightly Christie  Lund  Coles  823 

Coyotes — A  Tale  of  the  Hills  (A  Reprint)  Charles  Herman  832 


Frontispiece,    Let   This    Be    Heaven 
(A  Reprint),  Harrison  R.  Merrill.. 779 

Poetry  Page 780 

Indian  Shuttle  Song,  Lael  W.  Hill  ..838 

The  Day  Withdraws,  Laban  Thomas 
Johnston   840 

As  Summer   Goes,   Ethelyn  M. 
Kincher  848 


Frost   on   a   Window,   Anobel   Ar- 
mour  855 

Call  of  the  Pibrochs,  C.    Cameron 
Johns  864 

Wind  the  Wizard,  Maude  Rubin  ...865 

On  My  Morning  Window,   Maud 
Rubin    867 

Late  Gentians,  Eva  Willes  Wangs- 
gaard 879 


\Jfficial   vJraan    of 

THE  PRIESTHOOD  QUORUMS, 
MUTUAL  IMPROVEMENT  ASSO- 
CIATIONS, DEPARTMENT  OF 
EDUCATION,  MUSIC  COMMITTEE, 
WARD  TEACHERS,  AND  OTHER 
AGENCIES  OF 

Jhe    L^hufch   of 
of  oLatter-dau   ~—>aints 


Jhe    C-t 


over 

The  magnificent,  lighted  towers  of  the 
Salt  Lake  Temple  are  as  a  beacon  to  the 
traveler  at  the  Crossroads  of  the  West,  a 
guide  for  all*  who  know  for  themselves  the 
work  of  the  Church.  The  full-color  cover 
which  begins  the  sixtieth  year  of  publica- 
tion for  The  Improvement  Era  was  taken 
from  a  transparency  by  Hal  Rumel  Studios. 


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Copyright  195G  by  Mutual  Funds,  Inc.,  and 
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THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


by  Dr.  Franklin  S.  Harris,  Jr. 


Note:  Had  there  been  an  "Explor- 
ing the  Universe"  in  the  first  issue 
of  The  Improvement  Era,  it  could 
have  read  as  below.  These  four  great 
discoveries  which  immediately  pre- 
ceded the  birth  of  the  Era  resulted  in 
Nobel  prizes  in  three  cases,  and  one 
should  have  been  given  also  for 
X-rays. 


Professor  of  Physics  W.  C.  Roentgen 
of  the  University  of  Wuerzburg, 
Germany,  has  discovered  a  phenomenon 
which  he  calls  "X-rays."  By  using  a 
glass  tube  from  which  the  air  has  been 
pumped  out  and  discharging  electricity 
from  an  induction  coil  through  the  tube, 
he  has  found:  "If  the  hand  be  held  be- 
tween the  discharge-tube  and  the  fluo- 
rescent screen,  the  darker  shadow  of  the 
bones  is  seen  within  the  slightly  dark 
shadow-image  of  the  hand  itself." 
Photographic  plates  are  sensitive  to  the 
rays  and  have  been  used  to  take  pictures 
of  a  hand  and  other  objects  in  a  closed 
box  Lead  is  effective  in  stopping  the 
rays.  The  scientific  world  has  been  so 
excited  by  the  discovery  that  over  a 
thousand  papers  were  published  on 
X-rays  during  the  first  year  following 
the  first  announcement  in  December 
almost  two  years  ago. 

Uranium  and  its  salts  give  off  a  pene- 
trating radiation  which  affects 
photographic  plates,  according  to  Pro- 
fessor Henri  Becquerel  of  the  Ecole 
Polytechniq'ue,  Paris,  France.  Marie  and 
Pierre  Curie,  who  are  also  studying  this 
effect,  have  called  it  "radioactivity." 

Peter  Zeeman,  assistant  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Ley  den,  Netherlands,  has 
just  announced  the  discovery  of  the  in- 
fluence of  a  magnetic  field  on  a  light 
source.  Nature  in  London,  England,  has 
recently  given  an  English  translation  of 
this  discovery,  an  effect  which  was 
sought  in  vain  by  Faraday  in  1862.  By 
heating  sodium  between  the  poles  of  an 
electromagnet  it  is  found  that  the  light 
given  off  by  the  sodium  changes,  and 
that  it  depends  on  the  direction  of  the 
magnetic  field.  The  magnetic  field 
gives  the  yellow  color  both  slightly 
redder  and  bluer  colors. 

(Concluded  on  page  879) 
NOVEMBER  1956 


How  can  a 

crisp   cookie 

be  so      |, 

meltingly% 

tender  ? 


It  isn't  easy,  but  Purity 

does  it  by  the  bagful . 


Cookies  that  remind  you  of  long-ago  visits  to 
Grandma's  kitchen! 
PECAN  SANDIES— light  golden  cookies  with  a 
tempting  sandy  texture  that  melt  deliciously 

in  your  mouth.  Nubby  with  chopped  pecans. 
And  that  flavor!  Buttery  rich, 

sugary  and  pecanish — practically  irresistible! 

PECAN  SAN  DIBS 

"PURITY 

PURITY  BISCUIT  COMPANY        Salt  Lake    •     Phoenix    ♦    Pocatello 


773 


BUILD  MASONRY  AROUND 


-The  cA^O/>Wot-Heat 
Circulating  Fireplace  Unit 


HEATFORM  retains  the  hospitality  of 
the  open  hearth,  yet  provides  a  fire- 
place with  furnace  efficiency.  Heating 
chambers  around  the  firebox  and  upper 
throat  capture  and  circulate  a  large 
volume  of  heat  lost  to  the  chimney  by 
the  old-fashioned  fireplace. 

Because  HEATFORM  is  a  complete  guide  for  the 
masonry  walls  (hearth  to  flue)  consisting  of  fire- 
box, throat,  smoke-dome,  and  damper,  saving 
some  labor,  firebrick  and  separate  damper,  a 
HEATFORM  fireplace  costs  little  more  than  the 
all-masonry  fireplace. 

The  extra  cost  is  returned  many  times  over  in 
fuel  economy  and  comfortable  living.  In  cold 
climates,  a  HEATFORM  fireplace  furnishes  all 
the  heat  required  during  fall  and  spring 
months;  saving  the  expense  of  operating  the 
central  heating  system.  In  mild  climates,  a 
HEATFORM  fireplace  is  often  all  the  heat  re- 
quired in   the  average  home. 

Build  a  HEATFORM  fireplace  in  your  den,  recrea- 
tion room,  family  room,  or  in  any  room  where 
uniform  heat  is  desired.  In  mountain  or  lake- 
shore  cabins,  a  HEATFORM  fireplace  will  add 
many  weeks  of  vacation  pleasure. 


Model  "A"  HEATFORM  fireplace. 
Air  inlets  at  ends  of  raised 
hearth.  For  greater  heat  deliv- 
ery, warm  air  outlet  on  face. 


Model  "S"  Heatform  fireplace 
affords  view  of  fire  from  front 
and  either  side.  Air  inlet  and 
outlet  on  right  same  as  on   left. 


HEATFORM  has  many  exclusive  advantages.  Be- 
fore you  build  or  remodel  your  fireplace,  WRITE 
for  complete  FREE  technical  information  by 
America's  leading  authority;  also  for  nearest 
source  of  supply.  ACCEPT  NO  SUBSTITUTE. 
HEATFORM  HAS  NO   EQUAL! 

SUPERIOR   FIREPLACE   CO. 

Dept.   IE- 567  Dept.   IE-562 

1708  E.  15th  St.  •        601  North  Point  Rd. 

Los  Angeles  21,  Calif.  Baltimore  6,  Maryland 

California  address  after  72-37-56: 

4325  Artesia  Ave.,  Fullerton,  Calif. 
774 


Volume  One 


by  Dr.  G.  Homer  Durham 


VICE  PRESIDENT,  UNIVERSITY  OF  UTAH 


How  do  we  rate,  compared  with  our 
founders?  Is  The  Improvement 
Era  improving?  Are  we  keeping  pace 
with  the  standards  set  for  the  early 
issues  and  achieved  therein?  Who  can 
answer?  Certainly  this  column  will 
not  attempt  to  do  so.  But  as  this  issue 
commences  the  sixtieth  year  of  publica- 
tion, it  has  been  interesting  to  take 
some  bearings  from  volume  one,  num- 
ber one,  which  appeared  November  1897 
as  the  "Organ  of  the  Young  Men's  Mu- 
tual Improvement  Associations."  Joseph 
F.  Smith  and  B.  H.  Roberts  were  the 
editors,  with  Heber  J.  Grant  as  business 
manager  and  Thomas  Hull  as  his  as- 
sistant. 

Using  the  index  to  vol- 
ume one  as  a  base,  the 
first  thing  to  attract  my 
attention  was  an  article 
by  Elder  James  E.  Hart, 
"lately  returned  from  a 
mission  to  Tennessee," 
entitled,  "Among  the 
Mormons  without  Purse 
and  Scrip."  Elder  Hart, 
impressed  with  the  kind- 
ness of  people  to  him  during  his  mission, 
had  returned  to  Salt  Lake  City  en  route 
to  his  home  in  Bear  Lake.  He  decided 
to  take  a  one-man  poll  of  Christian 
charity  among  his  own  people.  In 
crisp  narrative  style  he  describes  how, 
as  a  supposed  minister  from  Tennessee, 
he  secured  offers  of  board  and  room 
from  B.  Y.  Hampton  of  the  Hampton 
House  Hotel,  a  "shave  and  shingle" 
from  A.  E.  Walker  at  the  Temple  Bar- 
ber Shop,  a  gift  of  $2.50  from  Henry 
Dinwoodey,  watch  repairs  from  John 
Daynes  and  Son,  a  $5.00  pair  of  shoes 
from  Col.  T.  G.  Webber  at  Z.C.M.I., 
and  filling  for  a  tooth  from  a  Dr.  Gates 
at  the  dental  offices  of  Dr.  Fred  Clawson. 

Evidently  the  foregoing  all  passed  the 
test  with  flying  colors.  Elder  Hart  con- 
cludes his  article  with  the  words,  "and 
so  the  problem  was  solved  to  my  satis- 
faction, for  I  had  called  on  some  of  the 
prominent  Latter-day  Saints  of  the  city, 
and  they  were  not  found  wanting." 

With  this  expression  of  human  inter- 
est, of  life  in  Salt  Lake  City  sixty  years 
ago,  I  was  pleased  to  review  further  the 
contents  of  volume  one,  number  one. 
Authors  represented  included  four 
prominent  Utah  educational  leaders: 
President  James  E.  Talmage  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Utah;  President  J.  M.  Tanner 
of  the  Utah  State  Agricultural  College; 
President  Benjamin  Guff,  Jr.,  of  the 
Brigham  Young  Academy  at  Provo;  and 


President  Willard  Done  of  the  Latter- 
day  Saints'  University  in  Salt  Lake  City. 
President  Talmage  contributed  an  arti- 
cle, "A  Case  of  Special  Providence,"  and 
some  correspondence  concerning  a  vol- 
canic eruption  abroad.  President  Guff 
wrote  on  a  current  issue  in  American 
foreign  policy,  "The  Hawaiian  Islands 
and  Annexation."  President  Tanner  con- 
tributed several  articles,  including  items 
on  Bismarck,  "China  and  the  European 
Nations,"  "European  Diplomacy,"  and 
so  on.  President  Done  did  a  series, 
"Young  Characters  in  History"  which 
included  sketches  on  Washington,  Joan 
of  Arc,  the  Pitts,  Frederick  the  Great, 
and  others. 

Nephi  Anderson,  the 
author  of  Added  Upon 
and  other  works,  entered 
"A  Plea  for  Fiction"  to- 
gether with  some  of  his 
stories.  Seymour  B.  Young 
wrote  on  the  Book  of 
Mormon  and  the  Spauld- 
ing  manuscript;  Orson  F. 
Whitney  on  Gladstone; 
Charles  W.  Penrose  on 
"The  Witch  of  Endor"  and  also  on 
"Ingersoll's  Best  Argument  Ever  Ad- 
vanced against  Christianity."  Nephi  L. 
Morris  did  a  regular  series  on  Bible  Stud- 
ies. Antbon  H.  Lund  of  the  Council  of 
the  Twelve  wrote  "A  Word  from  The  Far 
East"  from  Haifa,  while  each  month 
Thomas  Hull,  general  secretary  of  the 
YMMIA,  produced  a  chronological  digest 
of  current  affairs  under  the  heading, 
"Events  of  the  Month."  William  H. 
King,  member  of  Congress,  wrote  a 
series  of  four  articles  on  "Statehood  and 
How  It  Was  Achieved,"  together  with  a 
plea  for  US  intervention  in  Cuba  to 
help  Cuban  independence  in  view  of 
Spanish  failure  and  misrule — a  plea  be- 
ing thundered  by  William  Randolph 
Hearst  and  others  in  the  land. 

Perhaps  the  most  interesting  feature, 
in  retrospect,  to  be  found  in  volume  one 
is  the  "Series  on  Religious  Faiths."  The 
editors  of  the  Era  invited  each  promi- 
nent Utah  representative  of  the  various 
churches  "to  present  its  own  doctrine 
from  its  own  standpoint  and  by  its  own 
representatives."  Accordingly,  a  leading 
article  in  the  first  issue  appeared  en- 
titled, "The  Doctrines  and  Claims  of 
the  Roman  Catholics,"  by  the  Rt.  Rev. 
Lawrence  Scanlan,  Bishop  of  Salt  Lake 
City.  This  was  followed  in  subsequent 
issues  by  treatment  of  the  Greek,  Epis- 
copal, Unitarian,  Congregational,  Meth- 
(Continued  on  page  875) 
THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


The  most 

talked-about 

railroad 


in  the  West 


Although  Western  Pacific  is  neither  the  oldest  nor  the 
largest  railroad  in  the  West,  it  is  setting  so  many  significant 
operating  records ...  is  establishing  such  unusually  high 
standards  to  shippers  and  the  traveling  public... that  it  has 
become  "the  most  talked-about  railroad  in  the  West". 

A  few  Western  Pacific  "firsts":  the  California  Zephyr,  the 
first  Vista-Dome  streamliner  to  the  Pacific  Coast;  the  first 
RDC  Budd  car  to  be  placed  in  regular  passenger  service; 
the  first  Compartmentizer  Cars  and  the  first  Cushion 
Underframe  Cars  were  introduced  by  WP;  and  Western 
Pacific  was  the  first  transcontinental  railroad  to  achieve 
100%  dieselization  of  all  freight  and  passenger  service! 


ffl/assaasu  [?a@a[?a 


ROUTE  OF  THE  VISTA-DOME 

H.  R.  COULAM,  Traffic  Manager,  Intermountain  Region,  27  W.  South  Temple  Street,  Salt  Lake  City  1 
NOVEMBER  1956 


775 


THE  CHURCH  MOVES  ON 

A  Day  to  Day  Chronology  of  Church  Events 


August  1956 


n  j   Scores  in  the  annual  all-Church 

«  ^  softball  tournament: 

Junior  Division:  Third  round  losers: 
Clearfield  Second  3,  Vineyard  2;  Val- 
ley View  14,  Eugene  6.  Second  round 
losers:  San  Diego  Fifth  16,  Sutherland 
0;  Southgate  11,  Nampa  Third  1.  Con- 
solation: Menan  Second  11,  East  Gar- 
land 8;  Weston  8,  Grant  Third  1. 
Championship:  Salt  Lake  City  Thirtieth 
3,  Studio  City  2;  Malad  Third  3,  Can- 
non First  1. 

Senior  Division:  Third  round  losers: 
Palmdale  1,  Provo  Thirteenth  0;  Butler 

2,  Wilson  1.  Second  round  losers: 
Pleasant  Green  14,  Merced  2;  Pocatello 
Twentieth  2,  Inglewood  0.  Consolation: 
St.  George  Sixth  6,.  Valley  View  1;  San 
Diego  Fifth  3,  Salt  Lake  City  Twenty- 
ninth   2.    Championship:  Terrace   First 

3,  Orchard  1;  San  Antonio  10,  Mesa 
Tenth  8. 

2r  Announcement  was  made  that 
w  Elder  and  Mrs.  Archibald  E. 
Darley  of  Centerville,  Utah,  had  been 
called  to  serve  as  guides  and  hosts  at 
the  Joseph  Smith  Home,  Palmyra,  New 
York. 

The  Primary  Association  announced 
the  appointments  of  Mrs.  Myrl  Wash- 
burn Hamilton,  Mrs.  Beth  Snelgrove 
Davey,  and  Mrs.  Ada  S.  Van  Dam  to 
membership  on  their  general  board. 

Scores  and  final  placements  in  today's 
all-Church  softball  tournament: 

Junior  division:  Salt  Lake  City  Thir- 
tieth 6,  Malad  Third  0  (first  and  sec- 
ond); Cannon  First  4,  Studio  City  3 
(third  and  seventh);  Valley  View  2, 
Clearfield  Second  0  (fourth  and  eighth); 
San  Diego  Fifth  8,  South  Gate  2  (fifth 
and  ninth);  Menan  Second  10,  Weston 
8  (consolation  and  sixth,  and  tenth). 

Senior  division:  San  Antonio  1,  Ter- 
race 1  (first  and  second) ;  Mesa  Tenth  7, 
Orchard  0  (third  and  seventh) ;  Palm- 
dale  2,  Butler  1  (fourth  and  eighth) ; 
Pocatello  Twentieth  8,  Pleasant  Green 
4  (fifth  and  ninth);  St.  George  Sixth  9, 
San  Diego  Fifth  1  (sixth  and  consola- 
tion,  and  tenth). 

n  n  Elder  Harold  B.  Lee  of  the  Coun- 
" "  cil    of   the   Twelve   dedicated   the 
chapel    of    the    Oakland     (California) 
Fourth  Ward. 

Elder  John  Longden,  Assistant  to  the 
Council   of  the  Twelve,   dedicated   the 
chapel  of  the  Kitchener  Branch,  Cana- 
dian Mission. 
776 


Elder  John  Longden,  Assistant  to  the 
Council  of  the  Twelve,  dedicated  the 
chapel  of  the  Hamilton  Branch,  Cana- 
dian Mission. 

From  the  existing  Oakland  and  Berke- 
ley stakes  in  the  East  Bay  district  of 
Northern  California,  three  stakes,  the 
Oakland-Berkeley,  the  Hayward,  and 
the  Walnut  Creek,  were  formed  under 
the  direction  of  Elder  Harold  B.  Lee 
of  the  Council  of  the  Twelve  and  Elder 
Hugh  B.  Brown,  Assistant  to  the  Coun- 
cil of  the  Twelve.  The  new  Oakland- 
Berkeley  Stake  will  include  the  metro- 
politan areas  of  those  cities,  as  well  as 
the  Richmond  and  Alameda  districts. 
President  O.  Leslie  Stone  was  sustained 
as  president  of  this  new  stake  with 
Elders  Elmo  R.  Smith  and  Delbert  H. 
Rock  as  counselors.  Wards  in  this  stake 
are  Oakland,  Oakland  Third,  Oak- 
land Fourth,  Oakland  Fifth,  Alameda, 
Claremont,  Berkeley,  Berkeley  Second, 
Richmond,  and  East  Richmond.  The 
presidency  of  the  former  Oakland  Stake 
consisted  of  President  Delbert  F.  Wright 
and  his  counselors,  Elders  Elmo  R. 
Smith  and  Milton  P.  Ream.  The 
presidency  of  the  former  Berkeley  Stake 
were  President  W.  Glenn  Harmon  and 
his  counselors,  Elders  Emery  R.  Ranker 
and  Delbert  H.  Rock,  Sr. 

Constituting  the  presidency  of  the 
new  Hayward  Stake  are  President  Mil- 
ton P.  Ream  and  his  counselors,  Elders 
A.  Gi  fiord  Jackson  and  Francis  D. 
Winkel.  This  stake  will  encompass  the 
southern  and  eastern  sections  of  Ala- 
meda County.  Wards  are  Oakland 
Second,  San  Leandro,  San  Lorenzo,  Hay- 
ward, Hayward  Second,  Castro  Valley, 
and  Centerville;  and  the  Livermore 
Branch. 

The  new  Walnut  Creek  Stake  will 
cover  northern  Alameda  and  eastern 
Contra  Costa  counties.  Wards  are 
Rodeo,  Martinez,  Pittsburg,  Concord, 
Concord  Second,  Pleasant  Hill,  Walnut 
Creek;  and  the  Orinda  Branch.  Presi- 
dent Emery  R.  Ranker  was  sustained  as 
president,  with  Elders  Norman  B.  Creer 
and  Owen  J.  Cook  as  counselors. 

President  Wilburn  C  West  was  sus- 
tained as  president  of  the  Emigration 
(Salt  Lake  City)  Stake,  with  Elders 
Lesley  Brent  Goates  and  Walter  M. 
Home  as  counselors.  They  succeed 
President  Thomas  W.  Muir  and  his 
counselors,  Elders  Rulon  W.  Clark 
and  Rex  W.  Williams. 

President  Archibald  J.  Anderson  was 
sustained  as  president  of  the  North 
Sanpete  (Utah)  Stake,  succeeding  Presi- 


dent William  C.  Olsen.  President 
Anderson  was  President  Olsen's  first 
counselor.  Elder  Clifford  M.  McKinney, 
formerly  second  counselor,  was  sus- 
tained as  first  counselor.  Elder  Arnold 
Y.  Stevens  was  sustained  as  second 
counselor. 

o  o  The  First  Presidency  formally 
" "  approved  an  architect's  drawing 
which  calls  for  the  widening  of  historic 
Eagle  Gate.  The  gate  will  be  recon- 
structed in  a  way  that  will  permit  a 
four-lane  highway  up  State  Street. 


September  1956 


Q  It  was  announced  that  Elders 
®  Clarence  E.  Wonnacott,  David  W. 
Evans,  Daniel  A.  Keeler,  Lewis  J.  Wal- 
lace, and  Miss  Lucy  Picco  had  been 
named  to  the  general  board  of  the 
Deseret  Sunday  School  Union. 

It  was  announced  that  Mrs.  Lorna 
Broadbent  had  been  appointed  to  mem- 
bership on  the  Primary  general  board. 

A  Elder   Richard   L.   Evans    of   the 

"  Council  of  the  Twelve  dedicated 
the  chapel  of  the  Crystal  Heights  and 
Crystal  Heights  Second  wards,  High- 
land  (Salt  Lake  City)  Stake. 

Elder  EIRay  L.  Christiansen,  As- 
sistant to  the  Council  of  the  Twelve, 
dedicated  the  LDS  servicemen's  center 
at  Pacific  Grove,  California. 

President  S.  Dilworth  Young  of  the 
First  Council  of  the  Seventy  dedicated 
the   Orem    (Utah)    Seminary   building. 

President  David  Samuel  Brown  sus- 
tained as  president  of  Juarez  (Mexico) 
Stake,  with  Elders  Daniel  Pi  Taylor 
and  Don  S.  Bowman  as  counselors.  They 
succeed  President  Irvin  B.  Romney  and 
his  counselors,  Elders  Daniel  P.  Taylor 
and  Melvin  I.  Turley. 

-t  f*  President  David  O.  McKay  dedi- 
■■- "  cated  the  Calgary  (Alberta,  Can- 
ada)  Stake  center. 

President  Joseph  Fielding  Smith  of 
the  Council  of  the  Twelve  dedicated  the 
chapel  of  the  Cannon  Second  and 
Fourth  wards,  Cannon  (Salt  Lake  City) 
Stake. 

Elder  Ezra  Taft  Benson  of  the  Coun- 
cil of  the  Twelve  dedicated  the  chapel 
of  the  Short  Hills  (New  Jersey)  Ward, 
New  York  Stake. 

Reseda  Stake  organized  from  a  portion 

of    San    Fernando    (California)    Stake, 

with  President  Hugh  C.  Smith,  formerly 

president  of  San  Fernando  Stake,  as  its 

(Concluded  on  page  856) 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


HOW  THE  CLUB  PLAN  WORKS 

IE 

1.  You  join  the  club  by  ordering  the  book 
''Motherhood— A  Partnership  With  God"  or 
one  of  the  four  alternates  described  below. 
You  may  order  two  or  more  of  the  books 
if  you  desire.  Fill  out  the  coupon  and  mail 
along  with  your  check  or  money  order. 
(C.O.D.  orders  are  accepted  from  U.  S.  or 
possessions.)  Your  selection  will  be  mailed 
to  you    immediately. 

2.  Each  month  after  you  become  a  mem- 
ber you  will  receive  in  the  mail  reviews  of 
several  books,  carefully  selected,  with  one 
named  as  the  book  of  the  month.  If  you 
wish  to  receive  the  top  book  you  do  noth- 
ing—it will  be  sent  to  you  in  the  mail,  post- 
paid, along  with  a  statement.  If  you  do 
not  want  the  book,  you  return  the  post 
card  provided  for  an  alternate  choice  (or 
none  at  all). 

3.  After  you  have  purchased  four  books, 
a  fifth  will  be  sent  you  FREE.  You  select 
this  bonus  book  from  a  long  list  of  choice 
Church  books  which  will  be  provided. 

4.  You  need  order  only  four  books  dur- 
ing the  year,  but  you  may  order  one  or 
more  each   month,   if  you  desire. 

ALTERNATE   SELECTIONS 

Man  .  .  .  His  Origin  and  Destiny,  by  Joseph 
Fielding  Smith.  Contains  a  clear,  authoritative 
and  convincing  explanation  of  the  divine  origin 
of  man,  his  purpose  here  on  earth,  and  the 
glorious  goal  toward  which  he  is  moving.  563 
pages.  $4.00 


Begin  YOUR  Membership  With  This 
Important  New  Book 

Motherhood-^ 


A  PARTNERSHIP  WITH  GOD 


Compiled  by  Harold  Lundstrom 

Here  is  the  book  the  women  of  the  Church  have  been 
waiting  for!  Perhaps  the  first  in  its  field,  this  delightful 
and  inspirational  volume  contains  instructions  and  advice 
to  the  women  by  leaders  of  the  Church  from  the  time  of 
the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  down  to  the  present.  Treated 
under  the  general  divisions  of  A  Word  to  Mothers  (And 
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778 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Improvement 
ERA 

EEPEINT 


Let  This  Be  Heaven 

by  Harrison  R.  Merrill-1884-1938 

FORMERLY    MANAGING    EDITOR 


From  The  Improvement  Era,  November   1935. 

NOVEMBER  1956 


— Photo  by  Glen  Perrins 

Oh,  God,  let  this  be  heaven — 
I  do  not  ask  for  golden  streets, 
Or  long  for  jasper  walls, 
Nor  do  I  sigh  for  pearly  shores 

Where  twilight  never  falls; 
Just  leave  me  here  beside  these  peaks, 

In  this  rough  western  land, — 
I  love  this  dear  old  world  of  thine — 
Dear  God,  you  understand. 

Oh,  God,  let  this  be  heaven — 
I  do  not  crave  white,  stainless  robes; 
I'll  keep  these  marked  by  toil; 
Instead  of  straight  and  narrow  walks 

I  love  trails  soft  with  soil; 
I  have  been  healed  by  crystal  streams, 

Which  fall  from  snow-crowned  peaks 
Where  dawn  burns  incense  to  the  day 
And  paints  the  sky  in  streaks. 

Dear  God,  let  this  be  heaven — 
I  do  not  ask  for  angel  wings, 

Just  leave  that  old  peak  there 
And  let  me  climb  till  comes  the  night- 

I  want  no  golden  stair. 
Then,  when  I  say  my  last  adieu 
And  all  farewells  are  given 
Just  leave  my  spirit  here  somewhere- 
Oh,  God,  let  this  be  heaven! 


779 


JACK    FROST    IS    THE    ARTIST 

By  Ethel  R.  Peterson 

TV)wn   in   the   canyon   with   palette    and 

■*■'  brush 

An  artist  of  world-wide  fame, 

Has  painted  pictures,  enchanting  and  rare. 

Jack  Frost  is  the  artist's  name. 

A  splash  of  yellow,  a  dash  of  red, 
Blended  with  summer  green, 
Against  vermilion  of   rugged  cliffs 
Enhanced   by  a  golden  sheen. 

Sycamore,  maple,  and   aspen  trees 
He  has  painted  in  colors  gay, 
But  soon  they  will  stand  in  nakedness 
Beneath  the  skies  of  gray. 

Then  Winter  will  cover  their  branches  with 

snow; 
Jack  Frost  bright  jewels  will  bring; 
So  these  trees  adorned  in  winter  white 
Will  await  the  magic  of  spring. 

ROSES  IN  SNOW 

By  Lucia   Ward   Phillipsen 

/^nly  God  would  ever  know 

How  to  cover  a  rose  with  snow. 
The  rest  of  my  garden  the  wind  swept  clean. 
Hardly  a  trace  of  snow  can  be  seen, 
Only  the  plot  where  the  roses  grow 
Has  He  lovingly  spread  with  a  blanket  of 
snow. 


GRACE  AT  THANKSGIVING 

By  Marie  Daerr 

I  ord,  as  we  gather  at  this  board, 

May  each  of  us  be  well  aware 
That  harvest  f raits  that  come  from  Thee 
Are  ours  to  cherish,  ours  to  share. 

Let  understanding  rule  our  thoughts 
And   differences  melt  away. 
May  gentleness  and  truth  be  guides 
Of  deeds  we  do  and  words  we  say. 

Let  song  be  ready  on  our  lips, 
For  what  can  offer  fairer  praise 
Than  hymns  of  gratitude  for  all 
The  bounty  of  these  gracious  days? 

Lord,  may  we  keep  souls'  gates  ajar — 
That  in  this  house  with  us  may  dwell 
The  Giver  of  the  year's  rich  yield, 
Who  is  our  Host,  our  Guest,  as  well. 

FIRST  SNOWFALL 

By  Ethel  Jacohson 

Goft  wet  flakes 

^   Spangle  the  air 

To  swirling  whiteness 

Everywhere, 

Blotting  out  sound, 

Blotting  out  sight 

To  a  small  hushed  world 

Of  dancing  white. 

The  pines,  the  rocks, 
The  troubled  sea 
Are  lost  in  dappled 
Opacity — 

These  myriad  flecks 
Which  leave  the  air 
Crisper,  purer 
For  falling  there. 

780 


OAK  AND  LAND 

By  Helen  Price  Stacy 

TIe  was  a  tall  oak  man,  and  well  he  knew 
11   the   lay 

Of  hills  and  neatly  furrowed  fields  that 
made  a  gay 

Design  in  patchwork  squares  where  fence 
a  briar-stitched  edge 

Was  tight,  but  not  enough  to  weave  a  rose- 
thorn  hedge 

Against  his  own  well-meaning  children  who 
had  thought 

His  widower's  life  too  lonely  and  had 
brought 

Him  down  from  slopes  just  green  with  win- 
ter clover 

To  make  of  him  an  empty-handed  rover. 

A  month  or  two  with  Jane,  they  planned, 
and  then  out  west 

To  spend  some  time  with  Bill  and  Sue, 
then  he  could  rest 

Before  they  bought  his  train  fare  back  to 
town- — 

His  fields  lay  fallow,  strewn  with  stubhled 
corn  and  brown. 

And  so  it  was  they  talked  and  did  not 
understand 

The  strong  deep  kinship  of  an  oak  tree  and 
the  land. 

LONE  DOVE  OF  PEACE 
By  Etta  S.  Robhins 

T  one  dove  of  peace  with  olive  branch  se- 

■*-*    cure, 

Breasting  the  crystal  mountain  crests  on  her 
way, 

Then  low  descends,  continuing  her  tour 

Over  the  fruited  plains  and  deserts  gray. 

Searching  where  tumult  reigns  and  foes  de- 
ride 

Determined  that  no  cause  her  course  shall 
stay, 

Skimming  the  frothy  brine  of   ocean  wide, 

Her  pinioned  flight  with  patience  night 
and  day; 

She  seeks  a  country  clothed  in  liberty, 

Where  men  may  toil  and  sustenance  pro- 
vide, 

A  place  from  wanton  greed  and  conflict 
free, 

Where  brotherhood  and  tolerance  abide. 

Fares  there  a  land  where  love  of  right  is 
might 

A  spot  the  Dove  of  Peace  may  safely  light? 


— Photo  by  H.   Armstrong  Roberts 

Marine  Memorial 


SONNET  FOR  EARLY  NOVEMBER 

By  Helen  H.  Winn 

TThese  are  the  shortened  days.    Reluctant 
■*■     dawn, 

Late  to  arise,  and  dusk,  so  quick  to  die, 
Shutter  the  light  between  them.    Morning's 

yawn 
Is  almost  stifled  by  the  evening's  sigh. 
Now  is  the  time  to  heap  the  kindling  high, 
For  soon  the  feeble  warmth  of  sun  is  gone, 
Too  early,  from  the  graying  wash  of  sky, 
And  shadows  chill  across  the  frosted  lawn. 

I'll  need  a  pile  of  logs  to  throw  upon 
My  solitary  fire.     Then  I  will  lie 
And  watch  the  fantasy   of  pictures   drawn 
By  swiftly  stroking  flames,  and  wonder  why 
The  daylight  is  so  brief  this  time  of  year 
But  days  so  long— because  you  are  not  here. 

AND  NOW  PEACE 
By  Blanche  Sutherland 

Ance,  long  ago,  great  cliffs  of  rock 

Stood    sure    through    earthquake    stress 
and  shock; 

But    wind    and    wave    and    storm    harried 
them, 

Billow,  breaker,  and  tide  carried  them 

Bit  by  bit  away  as  will 

The  fates  that  rule  the  oceans,  till 

Humbled  at  last,  children  at  play 

Build  of  them  castles  of  sand  today. 

IN  REVERSE 

By  Jane   Merchant 

While    washing    daughter's    clothes,    my 
"    mind 

Confronts  the  mystery  once  more, 
Why  anything  that  buttons  behind 
Is  called  a  pinafore. 

THANKSGIVING 

By  Alice  G.  Harvey 

T'hanks  for  the  glory  of  autumn, 
Thanks  for  the  beauty  of  spring, 

For  the  wild  hot  days, 

And  those  with  blue  haze, 
And  the  majesty  winter  can  bring. 

Thanks  for  the  bounty  of  harvests, 
Thanks  for  the  genius  of  thought, 

For  the  cures  of  disease, 

And  for  nature's  release, 
And  the  inventions  that  many  have  wrought. 

Thanks  for  our  freedom  and  laughter, 
Thanks  for  compassion  to  share 

With  others  in  need 

Of  whatever  creed, 
That  burdens  are  easier  to  bear. 


AUTUMN'S  VALEDICTION 

By  Iris  W.  Schow 

After   the    dahlia   yields   to   night's    cold 
■'*    breath, 
And    crimson    leaves    grow    paper    thin    in 

death, 
When  even  grasses  droop  a  bit,  there  comes 
The  last-stand  valiance  of  chrysanthemums. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Y 


^m 


The  Mission  of  the  Church  and  Its  Members 

by  President  David  O.  McKay 


If  at  this  moment  each  one  of  you  were  asked 
to  state  in  one  sentence  or  phrase  the  most 
distinguishing  feature  of  the  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints,  what  would  be. your 
answer?    Mine  would  be  this: 

"Divine  authority  by  direct  revelation." 

There  are  those  who  claim  authority  through 
historical  descent,  others  from  the  scriptures,  but 
this  Church  stands  out  as  making  the  distinctive 
claim  that  the  authority  of  the  priesthood  has 
come  directly  from  God  the  Father  and  the  Son, 
by  revelation  to  Joseph  Smith. 

Founded  upon  that  principle,  accepting  it  as 
absolute  gospel,  we  have  clearly  defined  in  our 
minds  some  fundamental  principles: 

First,  that  God  is  a  Personal  Being;  that  he  has 
a  Spirit-Personality. 

The  acceptance  of  divine  authority  by  direct 
revelation  also  reveals  to  us  the  fact  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  the  Only  Begotten  Son  in  the  flesh,  for 
the  Father  appearing  to  Joseph  Smith  stated  in 
definite  words,  "This  is  My  Beloved  Son.  Hear 
Him!"  (P.  of  G.  P.,  Joseph  Smith  2:17.) 

Correlated  with  that  revelation  is  another 
fundamental  fact,  that  the  Lord  is  interested  in 
his  people,  that  the  whole  human  family  is  re- 
lated as  his  children,  and  he  loves  them,  and 
that  he  has  authorized  men  to  officiate  among 
the  children  of  the  world  to  bring  them  back  into 
his  presence. 

The  Father  and  the  Son  appeared  to  Joseph 
Smith  and  restored  authority  to  establish  the  king- 
dom of  God  on  earth. 

The  glorious  mission  of  the  Church  is  to  pro- 
claim the  truth  of  the  restored  gospel;  to  uplift 
society  that  people  may  mingle  more  amicably 
with  one  another;  to  create  in  our  communities  a 
wholesome  environment  in  which  our  children 
may  find  strength  to  resist  temptation,  and  en- 
couragement to  strive  for  cultural   and  spiritual 


attainment.  The  gospel  is  a  rational  philosophy 
that  teaches  men  how  to  get  happiness  in  this  life 
and  exaltation  in  the  life  to  come. 

Today  in  the  midst  of  the  world's  perplexity, 
there  should  be  no  question  in  the  mind  of  any 
true  Latter-day  Saint  as  to  what  his  mission  is. 
The  answer  is  as  clear  as  the  noonday  sun  in  a 
cloudless  sky. 

In  the  year  1830  there  was  given  to  the  people 
of  this  land  and  of  the  world  a  divine  plan  where- 
by individuals  can  find  security  and  peace  of 
mind  and  live  in  harmonious  accord  with  their 
fellow  beings.  In  all  men's  theories  and  experi- 
ments since  history  began,  human  intelligence 
has  never  devised  a  system  which,  when  applied 
to  the  needs  of  humanity,  can  even  approach  this 
plan  in  effectiveness. 

In  simple  words,  this  is  the  word  which  we 
should  preach  and  live — the  gospel  plan  of  salva- 
tion. 

First:  Preach  and  live,  in  season  and  out  of 
season,  belief  in  God  the  Eternal  Father,  in  his 
Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Second:  Proclaim  that  fundamental  in  this 
gospel  plan  is  the  sacredness  of  the  individual, 
that  God's  work  and  glory  is  "to  bring  to  pass 
the  immortality  and  eternal  life  of  man."  (Moses 
1:39.) 

Under  this  concept,  it  is  a  great  imposition,  if 
not  indeed  a  crime,  for  any  government  or  any 
other  organization  to  deny  a  man  the  right  to 
speak,  to  worship,  and  to  work. 

Third:  Preach  and  live  the  belief  that  govern- 
ments were  instituted  of  God  for  the  benefit  of 
man.  Man  was  not  born  for  the  benefit  of  the 
state.  Preach  that  ".  .  .  no  government  can  exist 
in  peace,"  and  I  quote  from  the  Doctrine  and 
Covenants,  "except  such  laws  are  framed  and 
held  inviolate  as  will  secure  to  each  individual  the 

{Concluded  on  following  page) 


NOVEMBER  1956 


5 Editors  Page, 


781 


The  Editor's  Page 


(Concluded  from  preceding  page) 

free  exercise  of  conscience,  the  right  and  control  of 
property,  and  the  protection  of  life."  (D  &  C  134:2.) 

Fourth:  Preach  and  live  the  sacredness  of  family  ties — 
the  perpetuation  of  the  family  as  the  cornerstone  of 
society. 

Fifth:  Proclaim  that  God's  Beloved  Son,  the  Re- 
deemer and  Savior  of  mankind,  stands  at  the  head  of 
his  Church  that  bears  his  name — that  he  guides  and 
inspires  those  who  are  authorized  to  represent  him  here 
on  earth — authorized  by  the  priesthood  when  heavenly 


messengers  bestowed  upon  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  and 
others  associated  with  him  divine  authority. 

Sixth:  Preach  and  live  that  the  responsibility  of  de- 
claring this  plan  of  life,  this  way  of  life,  this  plan  of 
salvation,  rests  upon  the  entire  membership  of  the 
Church  but  most  particularly  upon  those  who  have  been 
ordained  to  the  priesthood  and  who  have  been  cabled  as 
leaders  and  servants  of  the  people. 

God  bless  the  Church.  It  is  world-wide.  Its  influ- 
ence should  be  felt  by  all  nations.  May  divine  guidance 
be  given  bearers  of  the  priesthood  who  hold  the  responsi- 
bility of  declaring  to  the  world  the  restoration  of  the 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 


by  Joseph  Fielding  Smith 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  TWELVE 


The  Sons  of  God  and  the  Daughters  of  Men 


Question: 


"Will  you  kindly  explain  the  meaning  of 
the  first  two  verses  of  Genesis,  chapter  six? 
There  seems  to  be  a  difference  of  interpretation  in  our 
priesthood  quorum,  and  none  seems  really  to  compre- 
hend the  meaning." 

The  verses  in  question  are  as  follows: 

"And  it  came  to  pass,  when  men  began  to  multiply 
on  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  daughters  were  born  unto 
them, 

"That  the  sons  of  God  saw  the  daughters  of  men  that 
they  were  fair;  and  they  took  them  wives  of  all  which 
they  chose." 

11P|'S.;:11£1m1  The  verses  following  this  quotation  indi- 
cate thai  this  manner  of  marriage  was 
offensive  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  therefore  he  reduced 
the  age  of  man  upon  the  earth.  There  is  a  prevailing 
doctrine  in  the  Christian  world  that  these  sons  of  God 
were  heavenly  beings  who  came  down  and  married  the 
daughters  of  men  and  thus  came  a  superior  race  on  the 
earth,  the  result  bringing  the  displeasure  of  the  Lord. 
This  foolish  notion  is  the  result  of  lack  of  proper  informa- 
tion, and  because  the  correct  information  is  not  found 
in  the  book  of  Genesis  Christian  peoples  have  been  led 
astray. 

The  correct  information  regarding  these  unions  is 
revealed  in  the  inspired  interpretation  given  to  the 
Prophet  Joseph  Smith  in  the  book  of  Moses.  Without 
doubt  when  this  scripture  was  first  written,  it  was  per- 
fectly clear,  but  scribes  and  translators  in  the  course  of 
time,  not  having  divine  inspiration,  changed  the  mean- 
ing to  conform  to  their  incorrect  understanding.  These 
verses  in  the  Prophet's  revision  give  us  a  correct  mean- 
ing, and  from  them  we  learn  why  the  Lord  was  angry 
with  the  people  and  decreed  to  shorten  the  span  of  life 
and  to  bring  upon  the  world  the  flood  of  purification. 
The  verses  referring  to  this  bit  of  history  are  as  follows: 

782 


"And  Noah  and  his  sons  hearkened  unto  the  Lord, 
and  gave  heed,  and  they  were  called  the  sons  of  God. 

"And  when  these  men  began  to  multiply  on  the  face 
of  the  earth,  and  daughters  were  born  unto  them,  the 
sons  of  men  saw  that  those  daughters  were  fair,  and  they 
took  them  wives,  even  as  they  chose. 

"And  the  Lord  said  unto  Noah:  The  daughters  of  thy 
sons  have  sold  themselves;  for  behold  mine  anger  is 
kindled  against  the  sons  of  men,  for  they  will  not  hearken 
to  my  voice. 

"And  it  came  to  pass  that  Noah  prophesied,  and 
taught  the  things  of  God,  even  as  it  was  in  the  begin- 


"i 


nmg 

Because  the  daughters  of  Noah  married  the  sons  of 
men  contrary  to  the  teachings  of  the  Lord,  his  anger  was 
kindled,  and  this  offense  was  one  cause  that  brought 
to  pass  the  universal  flood.  You  will  see  that  the  con- 
dition appears  reversed  in  the  book  of  Moses.  It  was 
the  daughters  of  the  sons  of  God  who  were  marrying 
the  sons  of  men,  which  was  displeasing  unto  the  Lord. 
The  fact  was,  as  we  see  it  revealed,  that  the  daughters 
who  had  been  born,  evidently  under  the  covenant,  and 
were  the  daughters  of  the  sons  of  God,  that  is  to  say 
of  those  who  held  the  priesthood,  were  transgressing  the 
commandment  of  the  Lord  and  were  marrying  out  of 
the  Church.  Thus  they  were  cutting  themselves  off  from 
the  blessings  of  the  priesthood  contrary  to  the  teachings 
of  Noah  and  the  will  of  God. 

The  Lord  has  revealed  to  us  in  this  dispensation  that 
those  who  obey  his  will,  will  be  called  the  sons  of  God. 
In  the  days  of  Adam  the  Lord  decreed  that  this  should 
be  the  case: 

"And  he  [Adam]  heard  a  voice  out  of  heaven,  saying: 
Thou  art  baptized  with  fire,  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost. 
This  is  the  record  of  the  Father,  and  the  Son,  from  hence- 
forth and  forever;  (Concluded  on  page  879) 


iMoses  8:13-16. 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


President  David  O.  McKay 
EDITOR  1951   TO  PRESENT 


President  George  Albert  Smith 
EDITOR    1945    TO    1951 


President  Heber  J.  Grant 
EDITOR  1918  TO  1945 


President  Joseph   F.   Smith 
EDITOR  1897   TO   1918 


The  Improvement  Era  Begins 

60th  Year  of  Publication 


ITH    THIS    ISSUE    THE    1MPROVE- 

:  ment  Era  begins  its  sixtieth 
year  of  publication.  For  nine  years 
more  than  half  a  century  the  "Voice 
of  the  Church"  has  been  providing 
informational,  entertaining,  and  in- 
spirational reading,  while  carrying  the 
message  of  the  restored  gospel  to 
Church  members  and  friends  through- 
out the  world. 

Great,  inspired  men  have  guided 
the  destiny  of  the  Era.  Joseph  F. 
Smith,  who  became  President  of  the 
Church,  and  B.  H.  Roberts  of  the 
First  Council  of  the  Seventy,  were  the 
first  editors.  Heber  J.  Grant,  later 
President  of  the  Church,  was  the  first 
business  manager. 

President  Grant,  President  George 
Albert  Smith,  and  John  A.  Widtsoe 
of  the  Council   of  the  Twelve  have 


served  as  editors.  Today  this  re- 
sponsibility is  in  the  hands  of  Presi- 
dent David  O.  McKay,  and  Richard 
L.  Evans  of  the  Council  of  the 
Twelve. 

The  Era's  growth  in  circulation 
has  been  gratifying.  The  first  issue 
declared  the  magazine  had  no  capital 
stock  except  "confidence  in  the  loyalty 
and  unselfish  devotion  of  the  young 
men  of  the  Church."  At  the  close 
of  the  first  year  the  editors  revealed, 
"We  started  at  first,  and  with  some 
misgivings,  to  publish  a  five  thousand 
edition.  We  increased  the  issue  to 
seven  thousand,  and  had  to  reprint 
the  first  three  numbers." 

The  serviceability  of  the  Era  has 
grown  along  with  its  circulation.  Im- 
provements in  publishing  have  been 
adopted  in  order  to  enhance  the  ap- 


pearance and  improve  the  readability 
of  the  magazine.  The  page  size  was 
increased  in  1929  when  the  Era  was 
combined  with  the  Young  Woman's 
Journal.  Color,  both  inside  and  on 
the  cover,  has  been  added. 

But  the  purpose  and  the  message 
of  the  -magazine  have  not  changed. 
Many  of  the  articles  and  stories  are 
as  vital  today  as  they  were  when 
published  earlier.  The  editors  have 
decided  therefore  to  share  with  you 
some  of  the  past  treasures  in  this  and 
subsequent  issues. 

We  trust  that  this  issue,  featuring 
pictures  and  stories  on  Church  or- 
ganization, will  prove  valuable. 

Doyle  L.  Green, 
Managing  Editor 

Marba  C.  Josephson, 
Associate  Managing  Editor 


NOVEMBER  1956 


Elder  Brigham  H.  Roberts 
EDITOR  1897  TO   1899 


Elder  John  A.  Widtsoe 
EDITOR  1935   TO  1952 


Elder  Richard  L.  Evans 

EDITOR  1950  TO  PRESENT 


783 


President  David  O.  McKay 


The  First  Presidency  of  the  Church  of  Jesus 


ittle  did  the  young  lad,  Joseph  Smith,  realize  when 
he  read  the  stirring  verse  in  James — and  acted  on  it — 
that  he  would  be  the  instrument  of  re-establishing  an 
organization  of  everlasting  significance.  He  was  later  to 
write,  "We  believe  in  the  same  organization  that  existed 
in  the  Primitive  Church,  viz.,  apostles,  prophets,  pastors, 
teachers,  evangelists,  etc."  (Sixth  Article  of  Faith.)  The 
Prophet  Joseph  Smith  knew  that  the  organization  was 
eternally  planned,  but  that  he  had  the  great  responsi- 
bility of  perfecting  it  in  the  latter  days. 

As  prophet,  seer,  and  revelator,  he  became  the  recipient 
of  the  direct  teaching  from  divine  beings  who  restored 
the  priesthood  and  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel.  But 
the  burden  of  organization  must  have  lain  heavily  upon 
the  Prophet's  shoulders.  True,  he  had  the  inspiration  of 
the  Lord,  but  he  also  had  to  combat  the  human  frailties 

784 


By  Marba  C  Josephson 

ASSOCIATE    MANAGING    EDITOR 

of  man.  He  felt  the  imperative  urgency  to  see  that  the 
gospel  message  reach  the  entire  world.  To  him  this  as- 
signment had  come  directly  through  revelation  not  long 
after  the  organization  of  the  Church: 

"Hearken,  O  ye  people  of  my  church,  saith  the  voice 
of  him  who  dwells  on  high,  and  whose  eyes  are  upon 
all  men;  yea,  verily  I  say:  Hearken  ye  people  from  afar; 
and  ye  that  are  upon  the  islands  of  the  sea,  listen  to- 
gether. 

"For  verily  the  voice  of  the  Lord  is  unto  all  men,  and 
there  is  none  to  escape;  and  there  is  no  eye  that  shall 
not  see,  neither  ear  that  shall  not  hear,  neither  heart 
that  shall  not  be  penetrated."  (D  &  C  1:1-2.) 

It  was  the  Prophet's  responsibility  to  see  that  this 
message  reach  the  far  corners  of  the  earth.  The  Prophet 
had  been  given  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  prior  to  this 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


J.  Reuben  Clark,  Jr. 


Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints 


time  since  he  and  Oliver  Cowdery  had  received  the 
Aaronic  and  the  Melchizedek  priesthoods  at  the  hand 
of  John  the  Baptist,  and  Peter,  James,  and  John.  The 
Church  also  had  been  organized,  April  6,  1830. 

In  June  1829  the  Prophet,  Oliver  Cowdery,  and  David 
Whitmer  were  also  given  a  revelation  concerning  the 
calling  of  the  Council  of  the  Twelve  Apostles.  (D  &  C 
18.)  That  the  organization  of  the  priesthood  was  early 
perfected  is  clearly  demonstrated  in  the  Doctrine  and 
Covenants  wherein  the  order  of  baptism  and  the  duty 
of  ".  .  .  elders,  priests,  teachers,  deacons,  and  members 
of  the  church  of  Christ  .  .  ."  are  mentioned.  (D  &  C 
20:38.) 

In  March  1833  Sidney  Rigdon  was  ordained  and  set 
apart  as  First  Counselor  to  Joseph  Smith.  In  the  History 
of  the  Church  under  date  of  March  18,  1833,  this  note 

NOVEMBER  1956 


appears,  ".  .  .  Elder  Rigdon  expressed  a  desire  that  him- 
self and  Brother  Frederick  G.  Williams  should  be  or- 
dained to  the  offices  to  which  they  had  been  called,  viz., 
those  of  Presidents  of  the  High  Priesthood,  and  to  be 
equal  in  holding  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  with  Brother 
Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  according  to  the  revelation  given 
on  the  8th  of  March,  1833.  Accordingly  I  laid  my  hands 
on  Brothers  Sidney  and  Frederick,  and  ordained  them 
to  take  part  with  me  in  holding  the  keys  of  this  last 
kingdom,  and  to  assist  in  the  Presidency  of  the  High 
Priesthood,  as  my  Counselors;  .  .  ."  (History  of  the 
Church,  Vol.  1,  p.  334.) 

In  this  excerpt  as  well  as  in  sections  of  the  Doctrine 
and  Covenants  the  calling  of  the  First  Presidency  is 
made   clear.      In   section    68,   for    instance,    the    calling 

(Continued  on  page  866) 

785 


Joseph  Fielding  Smith 


Harold  B.  Lee 


Spencer  W.  Kimball 


Delbert  Leon  Stapley 


Marion  G.  Romney 


LeGrand  Richards 


The  Twelve  Apostles 

by  Joseph  Fielding  Smith 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  TWELVE 


arly  in  his  ministry  Jesus  chose  twelve  men  and 
ordained  them  apostles  and  gave  them  authority 
to  preach  his  gospel  and  administer  in  all  the  ordinances 
pertaining  to  the  gospel.  They  were:  "Simon,  who  is 
called  Peter,  and  Andrew  his  brother;  James  the  son  of 
Zebedee,  and  John  his  brother; 

"Philip,  and  Bartholomew;  Thomas,  and  Matthew  the 
publican;  James  the  son  of  Alphaeus,  and  Lebbaeus, 
whose  surname  was  Thaddaeus; 

"Simon  the  Canaanite,  and  Judas  Iscariot,  who  also 
betrayed   him."1     It  has   been   thought   by   some   that 

iMatt.   10:2-4. 

786 


Simon  was  colored,  but  this  is  not  the  case.  He  was 
called  a  Canaanite  because  he  was  from  Cana  in  Gali- 
lee.2 Each  of  the  apostles  was  an  Israelite,  likely  repre- 
senting one  of  the  tribes.  In  their  callings  as  apostles 
they  became  special  witnesses  of  the  divine  mission  of 
Jesus  Christ  and  were  his  advocates  to  every  nation, 
kindred,  tongue,  and  people.  It  was  the  plan  of  the 
Lord  that  this  chosen  body  of  witnesses  should  be  per- 
petuated through  all  time,  holding  the  keys  of  divine 
authority,  with  power  to  build  up  the  Church  with  all 


^Scott's  Commentary.  Clark  in  his  Commentary  says:  the  word  is  from  the 
Hebrew,  Kana  which  signifies  zealous,  "probably,  from  his  great  fervency  in 
preaching." 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Ezra  Taft  Benson 


Mark  E.  Petersen 


Henry  D.  Moyle 


Adam  S.  Bennion 


Richard  L.  Evans 


George  Q.  Morris 


the  gifts  and  blessings  for  the  salvation  of  the  truly 
repentant  in  all  parts  of  the  world. :i  This  quorum  was 
continued  for  a  time,  and  other  apostles  were  ordained 
when  vacancies  occurred.4  Early  in  the  first  century, 
even  while  some  of  the  original  apostles  were  still  living, 
dissension  commenced  to  enter  into  the  branches  of  the 
Church.  When  Paul  took  leave  of  the  elders  of  Ephesus 
to  return  to  Jerusalem,  he  said  to  them: 

"Take  heed  therefore  unto  yourselves,  and  to  all  the 
flock,  over  the  which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  you 
overseers,  to  feed  the  church  of  God,  which  he  hath 
purchased  with  his  own  blood. 

"For  I  know  this,  that  after  my  departing  shall  grievous 
wolves  enter  in  among  you,  not  sparing  the  flock. 

"Also  of  your  own  selves  shall  men  arise,  speaking 
perverse   things,   to    draw   away  disciples    after   them."5 

So  bad  was  this  dissension  by  the  end  of  the  first 
century  that  the  Lord  could  find  only  seven  churches 

sl    Cor.    12:28;   Eph.   4:11-16. 
"Acts    1:23-26;    14:14;   Gal.    1:1. 

5Acts  20:28-30. 

NOVEMBER  1956 


(branches)  worthy  of  his  attention,  and  each  of  these 
was  severely  rebuked."  Moreover,  in  many  of  the  epistles 
written  to  the  members  of  the  church  scattered  abroad, 
the  warning  voice  of  the  apostles  was  raised  calling 
them  to  repentance  and  pointing  out  the  time  when 
spiritual  darkness  would  set  in  and  the  priesthood  would 
have  to  be  taken  back  to  God  and  the  Church  driven 
into  the  wilderness.7  In  time  all  ordinances  of  the  gospel 
were  changed,  commandments  were  broken,  and  the 
simple  principles  of  the  gospel  were  mixed  with  pagan 
philosophy  by  the  "grievous  wolves"  and  apostate 
disciples  who  displaced  the  prophets  and  apostles  who 
had  divine  communion  with  the  heavens.  Spiritual  dark- 
ness set  in,  and  unrighteous  men  took  command  and 
closed  the  heavens  against  themselves.  Visions  and  con- 
tact with  the  heavens  ceased,  and  the  gifts  of  the  spirit 
came   to   an  end.     The   blessings   and   presence   of   the 

(Concluded  on  following  page) 


"Rev.  chapters  2,  3. 
"'Ibid.,  chapter  12. 


787 


The  Twelve  Apostles 


(Concluded  from  preceding  page) 
twelve  apostles  ceased,  and  the  cry  went  forth  that  they 
were  no  longer  needed. 

This  condition  was-  not  to  continue  forever,  for  the 
Lord  had  promised  that  in  the  last  days  he  would  pour 
out  his  Spirit,  and  there  would  come  a  restoration  of 
all  things,  as  predicted  by  all  the  holy  prophets  since 
the  world  began.8  In  the  due  time  of  the  Lord  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  was  again  established  by  the 
opening  of  the  heavens.  The  Holy  Priesthood  was  re- 
stored by  heavenly  messengers,  and  the  gifts  and  bless- 
ings of  the  gospel  were  once  more  found  on  the  earth. 
In  addition,  the  Lord  again  gave  to  the  Church  his 
special  witnesses,  the  First  Presidency  holding  the  keys  of 
power  over  the  Church  and  exercising  the  authority 
which  had  been  bestowed  on  Peter,  James,  and  John 
in  former  times.  The  twelve  apostles  were  also  called 
to  act  under  the  direction  of  the  First  Presidency,  hold- 
ing the  keys  to  unlock  the  doors  for  the  establishing  of 
the  gospel  and  the  Church  in  all  the  world.  In  defining 
the  labors  of  the  Twelve  in  this,  the  last  dispensation 
of  the  gospel,  the  Lord  has  said  they  labor  under  the 
direction  of  the  First  Presidency  in  the  following  words: 

"Of  necessity  there  are  presidents,  or  presiding  officers 
growing  out  of,  or  appointed  of  or  from  among  those 
who  are  ordained  to  the  several  offices  in  these  two 
priesthoods. 

"Of  the  Melchizedek  Priesthood,  three  Presiding  High 
Priests,  chosen  by  the  body,  appointed  and  ordained  to 
that  office,  and  upheld  by  the  confidence,  faith,  and 
prayer  of  the  church,  form  a  quorum  of  the  Presidency 
of  the  Church. 

"The  twelve  traveling  councilors  are  called  to  be  the 
Twelve  Apostles,  or  special  witnesses  of  the  name  of 
Christ  in  all  the  world — thus  differing  from  other  officers 
in  the  church  in  the  duties  of  their  calling. 

"And  they  form  a  quorum,  equal  in  authority  and 
power  to  the  three  presidents  previously  mentioned. 

"The  Seventy  are  also  called  to  preach  the  gospel, 
and  to  be  especial  witnesses  unto  the  Gentiles  and  in  all 
the  world — thus  differing  from  other  officers  in  the 
church  in  the  duties  of  their  calling. 

"And  they  form  a  quorum,  equal  in  authority  to 
that  of  the  Twelve  special  witnesses  or  Apostles  just 
named.  *  *  * 

"The  Twelve  are  a  Traveling  Presiding  High  Council, 
to  officiate  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  under  the  direction 
of  the  Presidency  of  the  Church,  agreeable  to  the  institu- 
tion of  heaven;  to  build  up  the  church,  and  regulate 
all  the  affairs  of  the  same  in  all  nations,  first  unto  the 
Gentiles  and  secondly  unto  the  Jews.  *  *  * 

"The  Twelve  being  sent  out,  holding  the  keys,  to 
open  the  door  by  the  proclamation  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  first  unto  the  Gentiles  and  then  unto  the 
Jews."9 

There  has  been  a  slight  misunderstanding  on  the  part 
of  some  because  of  the  statement  that  the  twelve  are 
equal  in  authority  and  power  to  the  three  members  of  the 
First  Presidency.  The  fact  that  it  is  also  stated  that 
the  seventies  hold  equal  authority  has  also  caused  some 
misunderstanding.  It  is  impossible,  of  course,  for  two, 
much  less  three,  councils,  to  have  equal  authority  and 

8Acts  3:19-21;  Joel  2:28-32. 
»D   &   C    107:21-26,    33,    35. 

788 


power  at  the  same  time.  If  that  were  the  case,  there 
could  be  no  head.  The  interpretation  of  these  state- 
ments is  that  the  twelve  apostles  hold  all  the  authority 
and  power  that  is  vested  in  the  First  Presidency,  but 
it  cannot  be  exercised  as  long  as  the  First  Presidency 
is  intact.  On  the  death  of  the  President  of  the  Church, 
the  First  Presidency  is  dissolved,  and  then  the  Council 
of  the  Twelve  Apostles  exercises  all  the  authority  that 
was  vested  in  the  Presidency,  and  this  continues  until 
the  First  Presidency  is  organized  again  and  becomes  the 
presiding  council  in  the  Church.  If  the  time  should  ever 
come,  which  is  improbable,  when  both  the  First  Presi- 
dency and  the  entire  quorum  of  the  apostles  should  be 
destroyed,  then,  and  only  then,  would  The  First  Council 
of  the  Seventy  have  the  power  and  authority  mentioned 
in  the  revelation.  In  no  other  way  are  these  three  coun- 
cils equal  in  authority,  and  the  First  Presidency  holds 
the  keys  of  authority  while  the  President  of  the  Church 
is  living. 

To  reject  the  counsels  and  testimonies  of  those  men 
chosen  to  carry  the  message  of  salvation  to  the  world — 
or  others  sent  under  their  direction — would  bring  down 
upon  the  heads  of  all  who  do  so  the  judgments  of  the 
Son  of  God.  The  twelve  have  been  sent  by  divine 
commandment  to  the  peoples  of  the  world  to  open  the 
doors  of  all  nations  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  and 
the  establishment  of  the  work  of  the  Lord  among  "every 
nation,  kindred,  tongue,  and  people."  This  appointment, 
like  that  given  to  Peter  and  his  associates,  is  a  divine 
commandment  renewed  in  this  the  last  dispensation.  In 
the  very  beginning  of  the  restoration  of  the  gospel,  the 
Lord  gave  this  instruction  and  warning: 

"And  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  they  who  go  forth, 
bearing  these  tidings  unto  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth, 
to  them  is  power  given  to  seal  both  on  earth  and  in 
heaven,  the  unbelieving  and  rebellious; 

"Yea,  verily,  to  seal  them  up  into  the  day  when  the 
wrath  of  God  shall  be  poured  out  upon  the  wicked 
without  measure — 

"Unto  the  day  when  the  Lord  shall  come  to  recompense 
unto  every  man  according  to  his  work,  and  measure  to 
every  man  according  to  the  measure  which  he  has 
measured  to  his  fellow  man. 

"Wherefore  the  voice  of  the  Lord  is  unto  the  ends 
of  the  earth,  that  all  that  will  hear  may  hear: 

"Prepare  ye,  prepare  ye  for  that  which  is  to  come, 
for  the  Lord  is  nigh; 

"And  the  anger  of  the  Lord  is  kindled,  and  his  sword 
is  bathed  in  heaven,  and  it  shall  fall  upon  the  inhabitants 
of  the  earth. 

"And  the  arm  of  the  Lord  shall  be  revealed;  and  the 
day  cometh  that  they  who  will  not  hear  the  voice  of 
the  Lord,  neither  the  voice  of  his  servants,  neither  give 
heed  to  the  words  of  the  prophets  and  apostles,  shall 
be  cut  off  from  among  the  people; 

"For  they  have  strayed  from  mine  ordinances,  and 
have  broken  mine  everlasting  covenant; 

"They  seek  not  the  Lord  to  establish  his  righteousness, 
but  every  man  walketh  in  his  own  way,  and  after  the 
image  of  his  own  God,  whose  image  is  in  the  likeness  of 
the  world,  and  whose  substance  is  that  of  an  idol,  which 
waxeth  old  and  shall  perish  in  Babylon,  even  Babylon 
the  great,  which  shall  fall."10 


10lbid.,   1:8-16. 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


WUWWWWUWWWHWHVUUHWVUUUWW 


The  Patriarchal 
Priesthood 

by  Joseph  Fielding  Smith 

PRESIDENT    OF   THE    COUNCIL   OP   THE  TWELVE 


|*ww%%w*vwv%*w*%%**ww%%*w**v***%*%*%w%%%v**w%wv*%wv%*\*%*v*w* 


Eldred  G.  Smith 


Jfter  the  organization  of  the  Council  of  the  Twelve 
Apostles  in  Kirtland  in  1835,  the  members  of  that 
council  were  called  to  go  into  the  mission  field. 
March  28th  of  that  year  they  came  to  the  Prophet  seeking 
a  revelation  in  relation  to  their  duties  that  they  might 
understand  more  perfectly  what  the  Lord  required  at 
their  hands.  In  answer  to  this  request,  the  great  revela- 
tion on  priesthood  (D  &  C  107)  was  received.  In  this 
revelation  certain  knowledge  was  revealed  concerning 
the  Patriarchal  Priesthood  and  its  descent  from  the  be- 
ginning of  time.  Regarding  this  priesthood  the  Lord 
said: 

"It  is  the  duty  of  the  Twelve,  in  all  large  branches  of 
the  church,  to  ordain  evangelical  ministers,  as  they  shall 
be  designated  unto  them  by  revelation — 

"The  order  of  this  priesthood  was  confirmed  to  be 
handed  down  from  father  to  son,  and  rightly  belongs  to 
the  literal  descendants  of  the  chosen  seed,  to  whom  the 
promises  were  made. 

"This  order  was  instituted  in  the  days  of  Adam,  and 
came  down  by  lineage  in  the  following  manner: 

"From  Adam  to  Seth,  who  was  ordained  by  Adam  at 
the  age  of  sixty-nine  years,  and  was  blessed  by  him 
three  years  previous  to  his  [Adam's]  death,  and  received 


the  promise  of  God  by  his  father,  that  his  posterity 
should  be  the  chosen  of  the  Lord,  and  that  they  should 
be  preserved  unto  the  end  of  the  earth; 

"Because  he  [Seth]  was  a  perfect  man,  and  his  like- 
ness was  the  express  likeness  of  his  father,  insomuch 
that  he  seemed  to  be  like  unto  his  father  in  all  things,  and 
could  be  distinguished  from  him  only  by  his  age."1 

In  the  following  verses  are  named  the  other  patriarchs 
from  Seth  to  Noah,  with  the  ages  of  each  when  ordained. 
In  Genesis  we  find  the  descent  continued  as  follows: 
Shem,  Arphaxad,  Salah,  Eber,  Peleg,  Reu,  Serug,  Nahor, 
Terah,  Abraham.  (Gen.  11:10-26.)  The  father  of  Abra- 
ham from  what  we  learn  in  the  book  of  Abraham,  turned 
to  the  worship  of  idols;  therefore  he  either  lost  his  priest- 
hood or  it  passed  him  by;  nevertheless  the  descent  came 
through  him  to  Abraham.  From  Abraham  the  birth- 
right went  to  Isaac  and  from  him  to  Jacob,  who  was 
named  Israel.  From  Israel  it  went  to  Joseph,  the  first- 
born son  of  Rachel.  The  reason  for  this  birthright  not 
going  to  Israel's  oldest  son  or  to  any  of  Joseph's  older 
brothers  was  evidently  because  each  had  forfeited  it  by 
transgression.  Therefore  the  birthright  and  the  Patri- 
archal Priesthood  continued  through  the  seed  of  Joseph. 

JD  &  C  107:39-43.  {Continued  on  page  852) 


PATRIARCHS  TO  THE  CHURCH 

1.  Joseph  Smith,  Sr.  Born  July  12,  1771,  at  Topsfield,  Mass.,  ordained 
December  18,  1883,  under  the  hands  of  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  Oliver  Cowdery, 
Sidney  Rigdon,  and  Frederick  G.  Williams;  died  September  14,  1840,  at 
Nauvoo,  Illinois. 

2.  Hyrum  Smith.  Born  February  9,  1800  at  Tunbridge,  Vermont,  or- 
dained January  24,  1841  by  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.;  died  a  martyr  June  27,  1844,  at 
Carthage  Jail,  Illinois. 

4.  John  Smith.  Born  September  22,  1832,  at  Kirtland,  Ohio,  ordained 
February  18,  1855;  died  November  6,  1911,  at  Salt  Lake  City. 

5.  Hyrum  G.  Smith.  Born  July  8,  1879  at  South  Jordan,  Utah,  ordained 
May  9,  1912;  died  February  4,  1932  at  Salt  Lake  City. 

6.  Joseph  F.  Smith.  Born  January  30,  1899  at  Salt  Lake  City,  ordained 
October  8,  1942;  released  October  6,  1946  because  of  ill  health. 

7.  Eldred  Gee  Smith.  Born  Tanuary  9,  1907  at  Lehi,  Utah,  ordained 
April  10,  1947. 


*%*vvvvvv*vv*vv*%*vvv*vv*^vvv*v*vv*v**%\%v*****%vv%vv*vvv*vvvvv%*v%vv%*w 


NOVEMBER  1956 


789 


Thomas  E.  McKay 


Clifford  E.  Young 


Alma  Sonne 


o  be  an  high  priest  is  a  signal  honor,  and  to  be 
chosen  an  high  priest  with  a  special  calling  is  a  rare 
privilege,  and  to  be  set  apart  as  such  by  the  prophet 
of  God  to  such  a  specific  work  is  glorious. 

Such  is  the  Assistant  to  the  Twelve  Apostles  of  the 
Lamb.  He,  like  his  Savior,  is  ".  .  .  called  of  God  an  high 
priest  after  the  order  of  Melchisedec  .  .  ."  (Heb.  5:10), 
and  he  holds  the  highest  priesthood  known  to  man. 
Again,  like  the  Redeemer,  he  is  ".  .  .  made  like  unto  his 
brethren,  that  he  might  be  a  merciful  and  faithful  high 
priest."  (Ibid.,  2:17.) 

The  Assistant  to  the  Twelve  is  ".  .  .  taken  from  among 
men,  is  ordained  for  men  in  things  pertaining  to  God  .  .  . 
[to  have]  compassion  on  the  ignorant,  and  on  them 
that  are  out  of  the  way;  for  that  he  himself  also  is  com- 
passed with  infirmity."  (Ibid.,  5:1-2.) 

The  calling  of  the  Assistants  is  of  recent  date — within 
the  lifetime  of  most  of  us.  In  April  1941  the  following 
pronouncement  came  from  the  First  Presidency  and  the 
Twelve: 


There  will  be  no  fixed  number  of  these  Assistants.  Their  num- 
ber will  be  increased  or  otherwise  from  time  to  time  as  the  necessity 
of  carrying  on  the  Lord's  work  seems  to  dictate  to  be  wise. 

In  the  feeling  of  the  writer,  this  above  declaration  could 
well  be  prefaced  with  the  much  used  phrase  of  yesteryear: 
"Thus  saith  the  Lord."  It  is  revelation  in  the  same 
category  as  the  following  statements: 

.  .  .  three  Presiding  High  Priests  .  .  .  form  a  quorum  of  the 
Presidency  of  the  Church.  (D  &  C  107:22.) 

and 
The    twelve    traveling    councilors    are    called    to    be    the    Twelve 
Apostles.  .  .  .  (Ibid.,  107:23.) 

and 
The    Seventy    are    also   called    to   preach   the   gospel,    and    to    be 
especial  witnesses  unto  the  Gentiles  and   in  all  the  world —  .  .   . 
(Ibid.,  107:25.) 

and 

The  Seventy  are  to  act  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Twelve.  .  .  .  (Ibid.,  107:34.) 

And  now  in  1941  comes  this: 


In  the  past  history  of  the  Church,  especially  in  President  Brigham 
Young's  time,  it  was  found  necessary  for  the  First  Presidency  or 
The  Twelve  or  both  to  call  brethren,  frequently  designated  as 
counselors,  to  help  carry  on  their  assigned  work  in  the  Church. 

The  rapid  growth  of  the  Church  in  recent  times,  the  constantly 
increasing  establishment  of  new  wards  and  stakes,  the  ever  widen- 
ing geographical  area  covered  by  wards  and  stakes,  the  steadily 
pressing  necessity  for  increasing  our  missions  in  numbers  and 
efficiency  that  the  Gospel  may  be  brought  to  all  men,  the  con- 
tinual multiplying  of  Church  interests  and  activities  calling  for 
more  rigid  and  frequent  observation,  supervision  and  direction — 
all  have  built  up  an  apostolic  service  of  the  greatest  magnitude. 

The  First  Presidency  and  Twelve  feel  that  to  meet  adequately 
their  great  responsibilities  and  to  carry  on  efficiently  this  service 
for  the  Lord,  they  should  have  some  help. 

Accordingly  it  has  been  decided  to  appoint  Assistants  to  the 
Twelve,  who  shall  be  high  priests,  who  shall  be  set  apart  to  act 
under  the  direction  of  the  Twelve  in  the  performance  of  such 
work  as  the  First  Presidency  and  the  Twelve  may  place  upon 
them. 

790 


.  .  .  Assistants  to  the  Twelve,  who  shall  be  high  priests,  who 
shall  be  set  apart  to  act  under  the  direction  of  the  Twelve  in  the 
performance  of  such  work  as  the  First  Presidency  and  the  Twelve 
may  place  upon  them. 

The  revelation  of  1835  on  priesthood  gives  us  this: 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  Twelve,  also,  to  ordain  and  set  in  order 
all  the  other  officers  of  the  Church.  ...   (D  &  C  107:58.) 

So  it  now  becomes  the  privilege  of  the  Assistants,  under 
direction  of  the  Council  of  the  Twelve,  as  indicated,  to 
perform  many  of  the  functions  of  that  quorum.  They  are 
set  apart  usually  by  the  prophet  of  the  Lord.  They  are 
assigned  to  hold  stake  conferences,  to  tour  missions,  and 
to  ordain  and  set  apart  most  officers  of  the  Church.  They 
have  the  sealing  power  to  perform  temple  marriages  by 
special  authority  from  the  Prophet.  They  may  serve 
on  committees,  assist  the  twelve  in  organizing  and  divid- 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


The  Assistants  to  the  Council 
of  the  Twelve  Apostles 

by  Spencer  W.  Kimball 

OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE   TWELVE 


EIRay  L.  Christiansen 


John  Longden 


Hugh  B.  Brown 


Sterling  W.  Sill 


ing  missions  and  stakes,  and,  in  general,  to  set  in  order 
the  affairs  of  the  Lord's  Church  as  they  are  directed. 

Eleven  great  and  good  men  have  served  and  are  serv- 
ing as  Assistants.  Five  men  were  called  and  sustained 
on  April  6,  1941,  as  the  first  in  our  generation  to  serve 
in  this  capacity.  They  were:  Elders  Marion  G.  Romney, 
Thomas  E.  McKay,  Clifford  E.  Young,  Alma  Sonne,  and 
Nicholas  G.  Smith.  Others  in  the  order  of  their  call 
were  George  Q.  Morris,  Stayner  Richards,  EIRay  L. 
Christiansen,  and  John  Longden,  who  were  added  on 
October  6,  1951.  Elder  Hugh  B.  Brown  was  sustained 
October  4,  1953,  and  Elder  Sterling  W.  Sill  was  sustained 
April  6,  1954.  Seven  men  still  are  serving  as  Assistants. 
They  are  always  sustained  in  the  order  of  their  call  to 
service  but  have  no  special  quorum  or  council  organiza- 
tion. They  belong  to  the  high  priests'  quorum  of  their 
respective   stakes,    whereas   the  Apostles   do   not.      The 

NOVEMBER  1956 


Apostles  belong  to  their  own  quorums,  the  Quorum  of 
the  First  Presidency  and  the  Quorum  of  the  Twelve. 

Assistants  are  not  junior  nor  alternate  Apostles  and  do 
not  succeed  to  apostleship  nor  to  the  Council  of  the 
Twelve  when  vacancies  come  in  that  body.  However, 
on  two  occasions  Assistants  have  been  called  to  that 
council:  Elder  Marion  G.  Romney  on  October  6,  1951, 
and  Elder  George  Q.  Morris  on  April  6,  1954.  Two 
have  died  in  office:  Elder  Nicholas  G.  Smith,  who  died 
October  27,  1945,  and  Elder  Stayner  Richards,  who  passed 
away  May  28,  1953.  The  present  number  is  seven,  and 
the  following  men  are  now  serving  as  Assistants:  Elders 
Thomas  E.  McKay,  Clifford  E.  Young,  Alma  Sonne,  EIRay 
L.  Christiansen,  John  Longden,  Hugh  B.  Brown,  and 
Sterling  W.  Sill.  ' 

God  bless  the  able,  loyal,  and  efficient  men  who  have 
been  called  to  this  high  calling! 

791 


The  Seventy  and 
The  First  Council 


by  Antoine  R.  Ivins 

OF  THE  FIRST  COUNCIL  OF  THE   SEVENTY 


Levi  Edgar  Young 

PRESIDENT   OF  THE   FIRST  COUNCIL 
OF  THE   SEVENTY 


n  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints 
the  First  Council  of  the  Seventy  constitute  a  body 
of  specially  selected  men  with  a  very  definite  major 
purpose.  They  are  appointed  and  ordained  to  aid  the 
Quorum  of  Twelve  Apostles  in  delivering  the  message 
of  the  restored  gospel  to  the  world.  In  the  Doctrine  and 
Covenants  we  read: 

"The  seventy  are  to  act  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Twelve  or  the  traveling  high  council, 
in  building  up  the  church  and  regulating  all  the  affairs 
of  the  same  in  all  nations,  first  unto  the  Gentiles  and 
then  to  the  Jews."  (D  &  C  107:34.) 

From  what  we  read  in  the  New  Testament  and  mod- 
ern revelation,  we  feel  justified  in  the  thought  that  our 
present  organization  may  be  a  replica  of  that  which 
the  Savior  set  up  during  his  ministry  in  Palestine.  We 
read  in  Luke  the  following: 

"After  these  things  the  Lord  appointed  other  seventy 
also,  and  sent  them  two  and  two  before  his  face  into 
every  city  and  place,  whither  he  himself  would  come.  *  *  * 

"And  the  seventy  returned  again  with  joy,  saying, 
Lord,  even  the  devils  are  subject  unto  us  through  thy 
name."  (Luke  10:1,  17.) 

We  do  not  learn  from  the  scriptures  of  that  day  just 
how  the  seventies  were  organized,  but  we  do  learn  that 
their  purpose  was  the  same  as  it  is  today,  namely,  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  the  world. 

The  Church  was  within  a  few  months  of  being  five 
years  old  when  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  was  in- 
spired to  organize  both  the  twelve  and  the  seventy.  The 
Saints  were  already  more  or  less  familiar  with  the  duties 
of  the  elders  and  high  priests,  but  they  had  never  experi- 
enced the  leadership  of  the  twelve  nor  seen  the  seventies 
in  action. 

While  the  Saints  did  not  realize  it,  the  Lord  saw  fit 
to  prove  many  of  them  in  the  great  journey  called  Zion's 
Camp.  Out  of  the  trying  circumstances  which  were 
experienced  in  that  journey  there  emerged  a  band  of 
great  leaders,  and  from  them  were  selected  the  men  who 
were  called  into  the  Quorum  of  the  Twelve  and  those 
who  made  up  the  First  Quorum  of  the  Seventy. 

792 


It  was  but  a  short  time  after  the  organization  of  the 
Quorum  of  the  Twelve  Apostles  that  the  Prophet  called 
seventy  men  to  be  ordained  and  also  to  form  the  First 
Council  of  the  Seventy.  An  organization  very  different 
from  that  which  existed  in  the  other  quorums  of  the 
priesthood  was  given  the  seventies,  for,  instead  of  a 
president  with  two  counselors,  they  were  given  seven 
presidents,  each  with  the  powers  of  presidency. 

From  their  initial  organization  until  the  martyrdom 
of  the  Prophet  the^re  was  at  any  one  time  but  one  set  of 
presidents  for  all  the  seventies,  who  numbered  then  about 
three  hundred  sixty  or  more  members,  in  four  quorums. 
An  interesting  thing,  also,  is  that  the  first  quorum  was 
always  kept  complete,  that  is,  it  always  had  seventy 
members.  If  a  member  was  taken  out  of  the  first  quo- 
rum for  any  reason,  his  successor  came  from  the  second 
quorum,  and  this  vacancy  was  filled  from  the  third 
quorum: 

After  the  death  of  the  Prophet  a  change  was  made 
in  the  organization.  The  number  of  seventies  was  greatly 
increased,  and  the  members  of  the  first  quorum  became 
the  presidents  of  the  quorums  from  the  second  to  the 
tenth.  The  first  seven  presidents  remained  the  directing 
head  of  all  the  seventies,  but  the  members  of  the  first 
quorum  were  now  heading  the  other  quorums  in  groups 
of  seven.  Theoretically  they  were  still  considered  as  the 
first  quorum,  but  as  they  became  scattered  or  died,  their 
places  were  not  filled  and  have  not  been  up  to  the  pres- 
ent time. 

The  number  of  seventies  has  increased  until  we  now 
have  around  twenty  thousand  men  in  the  various  quo- 
rums, constituting  a  veritable  army  of  special  witnesses 
to  the  restoration  of  the  gospel. 

While  the  seventies  are  especially  selected  and  or- 
dained as  "witnesses,"  they  are  not  now  under  constant 
call  for  active  field  work  as  missionaries.  Since  they  hold 
the  Melchizedek  Priesthood,  they  may  be  used  by  stake 
and  ward  authority  for  many  of  the  other  functions  of 
the  priesthood. 

It  should  be  definitely  understood,  however,  that  the 
primary  obligation  of  every   seventy  in  the   Church   is 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Antoine  R.  Ivins 


Oscar  A.  Kirkham 


S.  Dilworth  Young 


Milton  R.  Hunter 


Bruce  R.  McConkie 


Marion  D.  Hanks 


to  be  ready  for  missionary  service  if  and  when  the 
Church  has  need  of  his  particular  type  of  service. 

In  the  beginning  the  quorums  of  seventy  were  organ- 
ized without  regard  to  ward  or  stake  boundaries,  and 
their  management  and  direction  was  the  exclusive  re- 
sponsibility of  the  First  Council,  always  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  twelve.  Bishops  had  no  control  over  these 
men  in  a  quorum  capacity  and  neither  did  stake  presi- 
dents. Of  course  each  had  a  direction  over  them  as 
individual  members  of  the  ward  and  stake.  Not  many 
years  ago  it  was  decided  to  ask  the  presidents  of  the 
stakes  to  aid  in  the  direction  of  these  quorums,  but  bish- 
ops have  no  jurisdiction  over  this  group  or  any  of  the 
Melchizedek  Priesthood  quorums,  as  such. 

Until  recently  no  organization  of  the  seventy  could  be 
made  within  a  stake  unless  there  were  enough  seventies 
to  make  a  majority  of  a  quorum.  Now,  by  change  of 
rule,  made  by  proper  authority,  we  organize  seventies' 
"units"  in  stakes  where  there  are  not  enough  seventies  to 
meet  this  majority  requirement.    These  units,  instead  of 

NOVEMBER  1956 


having  seven  presidents,  have  a  chairman  and  two  coun- 
selors. When  sufficient  strength  develops,  the  unit  is 
organized  into  a  quorum.  No  unit  is  ever  organized  in 
any  stake  which  already  has  sufficient  seventies  to  make 
a  quorum.  That  means  there  can  never  be  a  quorum  and 
a  unit  in  any  one  stake. 

Over  the  years  many  of  our  seventies  have,  for  various 
reasons,  moved  into  the  mission  fields  of  the  Church 
where  there  was  no  organization  to  take  care  of  them  in 
a  quorum  capacity.  The  need  of  keeping  in  contact  with 
them  has  resulted  in  a  recent  ruling  that  when  there 
might  be  enough  seventies  in  a  mission  area,  they  can 
be  organized  into  a  quorum  or  a  "unit,"  as  explained 
above.  This,  however,  must  be  done  only  with  the  per- 
mission of  the  President  of  the  Church. 

It  is  now  felt  that  there  has  never  been,  in  the  history 
of  the  Church,  a  time  when  we  have  been  able  to  main- 
tain better  contact  with  the  members  of  the  Quorum  of 
the  Seventy  than  at  the  present  time  and  that  we  have 
never  had  more  devoted  and  able  seventies  in  the  Church. 

793 


Thorpe  B.  Isaacson 

FIRST  COUNSELOR 


Joseph  L.  Wirthlin 

PRESIDING  BISHOP 


Carl  W.  Buehner 

SECOND  COUNSELOR 


History  and  Functions  of  the  Presiding  Bishopric 


by  Joseph  L.  Wirthlin 

PRESIDING  BISHOP 


Ihree  men  sit  in  earnest  council  together.    The  de- 
cisions they  make  will  be  far  reaching  and  will  affect 

J  the  lives  and  activities  of  many  people.  The  serious- 
ness of  that  which  is  under  consideration  is  reflected 
upon  their  faces. 

Today  as  on  previous  days  they  have  knelt  together 
in  humble  prayer.  They  rely  upon  the  Lord  for  guid- 
ance and  are  confident  that  he  will  temper  their  judg- 
ment and  inspire  them  to  make  wise  decisions  and  proper 
solutions  for  the  problems  at  hand.  They  realize  the 
responsibilities  that  the  Lord  has  placed  upon  them  to 
direct  the  spiritual  and  service  activities  of  more  than  a 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  of  his  sons  who  hold  the 
Aaronic  Priesthood.  They  are  concerned,  too,  by  virtue 
of  their  divine  calling,  for  the  temporal  welfare  of  all 
the  Church.  They  are  the  Presiding  Bishopric  of  the 
Church. 

The  responsibilities  of  the  Presiding  Bishopric  are 
manifold  and  varied.  Their  position  is  both  executive 
and  judicial  in  nature.  They  are  called  and  ordained 
to  this  office  by  the  First  Presidency,  under  whose  direct 
supervision  they  serve. 

The  executive  activities  of  the  Presiding  Bishopric 
can  partially  be  understood  by  analyzing  the  power,  au- 
thority, and  commission  given  to  the  Aaronic  Priest- 
hood over  which  they  are  the  presidency. 

The  lesser  priesthood  is  an  appendage  to  the  higher 
or   Melchizedek  Priesthood   and  ministers   primarily   in 

794 


the  temporal  affairs  of  the  Church.     John  the  Baptist 
in  restoring  the  Aaronic  Priesthood  said  that  it 

.  .  .  holds  the  keys  of  the  ministering  of  angels,  and  of  the  gospel 
of  repentance,  and  of  baptism  by  immersion  for  the  remission 
of  sins;  .  .  .  (D  &  C  13.) 

Its  activities  have  had  to  do  with  the  ministering  of  the 
outward  ordinances  of  the  gospel.  The  Presiding  Bishop- 
ric are  responsible  for  the  organization,  promotion,  aid 
administration  of  the  Aaronic  Priesthood  program.  From 
the  installation  of  the  first  Presiding  Bishop  until  the 
present  time,  those  who  have  been  called  to  the  Presid- 
ing Bishopric  have  been  concerned  with  the  material 
interests  of  the  Church  and  its  members.  They  have 
administered  the  law  of  consecration;  received,  dis- 
tributed, and  accounted  for  the  contributions  and  tithes 
of  the  people;  looked  after  the  poor;  comforted  the  weary; 
admonished  and  exhorted  to  good  works  those  who  fal- 
tered; provided  and  maintained  adequate  places  of  wor- 
ship; and  accounted  for  the  records  of  membership, 
activity,  and  advancement  of  all  members  of  the  Church. 
The  Presiding  Bishopric  accomplish  their  objectives 
through  promoting  Sacrament  meeting  attendance,  ad- 
ministering a  ward  teaching  program,  and  through  direct- 
ing the  many  and  diversified  Aaronic  Priesthood  activities. 

In  addition  to  the  administrative  responsibilities,  the 
office  of  the  Presiding  Bishopric  has  a  judicial  capacity. 
Soon  after  the  Lord  appointed  Edward  Partridge  Bishop 

{Concluded  on  page  830) 
THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


The  Church 
Historian's  Office 


by  A.  William  Lund 


Joseph  Fielding  Smith 

CHURCH  HISTORIAN 


A.  William  Lund 

ASS'T.  CHURCH  HISTORIAN 


ON  the  first  day  that  the  Church 
was  organized  a  revelation  was 
given  to  Joseph  Smith,  the 
Prophet,  in  which  the  Lord  com- 
manded that  a  record  should  be  kept 
by  the  Church.  Accordingly,  Oliver 
Cowdery  was  chosen  the  first  Church 
recorder,  and  a  history  of  the  Church 
was  commenced.  Soon,  however,  it 
was  found  that  Elder  Cowdery  had 
too  much  to  do  in  his  other  Church 
duties  properly  to  care  for  this  office; 
therefore  John  Whitmer  was  ap- 
pointed Church  Historian.  Nowhere 
is  it  stated  that  either  of  these  breth- 
ren had  anyone  to  assist  in  the  writ- 
ing; it  is  very  likely  that  they  did 
much  of  it  in  their  own  homes,  where 
they  also  kept  their  records. 

After  the  apostasy  of  John  Whit- 
mer, others  were  called  to  help  in 
keeping  a  history.  Among  those 
called  were  John  Corrill,  Elias  Higbee, 
Robert  B.  Thompson,  and  James 
Sloan,  who  spent  most  of  their  time 
in  this  labor.  However,  it  was  not 
until  1843,  when  the  Prophet  Joseph 
appointed  Willard  Richards  Church 
Historian  and  General  Church  Re- 
corder, that  the  Historian's  Office 
became  recognized  as  a  distinct  part 
of  the  Church  organization.  Elder 
Richards  was  the  first  to  be  sustained 
as  both  Historian  and  Recorder,  but 
each  person  succeeding  him  has  been 
sustained  in  that  same  manner. 

There  is  mention  of  council  meet- 
ings and  other  meetings  in  Nauvoo 
being  held  in  the  Historian's  Office. 

When  the  pioneers  were  at  Winter 
Quarters,  Elder  Willard  Richards 
built  a  house  known  as  the  Octagon. 
He  not  only  made  this  building  his 
home  but  he  also  used  it  for  the  post 

NOVEMBER  1956 


office  and  for  the  Historian's  Office. 
Many  meetings  were  also  held  here. 
Elder  Richards  was  the  official  camp 
historian  of  the  pioneer  band  in  which 
he  traveled  from  Winter  Quarters  to 
the  Salt  Lake  Valley. 

In  1854,  Elder  George  A.  Smith  was 
sustained  as  Church  Historian  and 
General  Church  Recorder  to  succeed 
Willard  Richards,  who  had  died.  As 
the  labors  of  the  Historian's  Office  in- 
creased it  was  found  necessary  to  ap- 
point assistant  historians,  a  custom 
which  still  prevails  in  the  Church. 
In  October  1856,  Elder  Wilford 
Woodruff  was  sustained  as  Assistant 
Church  Historian,  the  first  person  to 
be  so  sustained. 

September  15,  1956,  marked  one 
hundred  years  since  the  first  Histori- 
an's Office  building  in  Salt  Lake  City 
was  dedicated.  A  few  details  con- 
cerning its  construction  therefore  may 
be  of  interest. 

Inasmuch  as  the  Historian's  Office 
was  in  an  upper  room  of  the  Council 
House,  the  General  Authorities  felt 
that  a  separate  building  should  be 
erected.  The  site  chosen  for  this 
building  was  on  the  south  side  of 
South  Temple  Street,  almost  oppo- 
site the  office  of  President  Brigham 
Young.  The  Medical  Arts  Build- 
ing now  stands  on  the  site.  The 
excavation  for  the  Historian's  Office 
building  commenced  in  June  1854, 
but  it  was  not  until  July  1855  that  the 
stone  foundation  was  completed  and 
ready  for  the  adobes. 

The  brethren  were  very  desirous 
that  a  safe  place  be  built  in  which 
to  place  valuable  books  and  other 
material;    therefore  President   Young 


instructed  Bishop  Alonzo  H.  Raleigh 
to  build  a  fireproof  vault  in  the  His- 
torian's Office  building.  Many  of 
the  books  and  documents  were  placed 
in  this  vault,  but  it  was  soon  dis- 
covered that  the  vault  was  damp,  and 
the  contents  were  immediately  re- 
moved. 

In  August  1856  the  Historian's  Of- 
fice was  completed,  and  on  September 
9,  1856,  Elder  Wilford  Woodruff 
called  on  President  Young  and  told 
him  that  the  new  building  was  ready 
for  use.  President  Young  gave  in- 
structions that  the  building  should  be 
immediately  occupied.  The  next  day 
the  official  staff  commenced  moving 
books,  records,  papers,  etc. 

r\N  Monday,  September  15,  1856, 
"  Elder  Wilford  Woodruff  offered 
the  dedicatory  prayer,  from  which  the 
following  is  extracted: 

"And  inasmuch  as  we  have  the 
privilege  of  having  an  office  built  for 
Thy  servants  to  occupy  while  writing 
and  keeping  a  history  of  Thy  Church 
and  Kingdom  upon  the  earth  in  these 
last  days,  we  feel  it  a  privilege  to  bow 
before  Thee  and  dedicate  this  house 
unto  the  Lord  our  God,  even  our 
Father  in  heaven. 

"And  by  virtue  of  the  Holy  Priest- 
hood vested  in  us,  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ,  we  do  dedicate  it  and 
consecrate  it  unto  the  Lord  our  God, 
and  we  set  it  apart  that  it  may  con- 
tain holy  records  of  the  Church  and 
Kingdom  of  God,  and  we  ask  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ  that  it  may  be 
sanctified  and  holy  unto  Thy  name, 
and  we  pray  that  we  may  be  inspired 
by  the  gift  and  power  of  the  Holy 

(Continued  on  page  853) 

795 


Ernest  L.  Wilkinson 

ADMINISTRATOR   AND 
PRESIDENT  OF   BYU 


Harvey  L.  Taylor 

EXECUTIVE  ASS'T  TO  PRESIDENT 


William  E.  Berrett 

VICE   PRES.   IN    CHARGE   OF 

RELIGION 


William  F.  Edwards 

VICE   PRES.  IN  CHARGE   OF 
FINANCE 


The  Unified  Church  School  System 


by  Edwin  J.  Butterworth 


ASSISTANT    PROFESSOR    OF    JOURNALISM, 
PRESS     RELATIONS     DIRECTOR,     BRIGHAM    YOUNG   UNIVERSITY 


Just  three  years  after  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Church,  a  small 
group  of  men  started  holding  a 
"School  of  the  Prophets"  in  Kirtland, 
Ohio,  (D  &  C  88:127)  in  one  of  the 
first  efforts  at  adult  education  in 
America. 

Since  that  time,  Church  education 
has  continued  to  grow  until  today 
thousands  of  teachers  are  instructing 
more  than  65,000  students  in  hun- 
dreds of  buildings  in  a  vast  program 
extending  into  many  states  and  for- 
eign countries. 

This  is  the  present  composition  of 
the  Unified  Church  School  System 
which  was  set  up  in  July  1953,  with 
Dr.  Ernest  L.  Wilkinson,  president  of 
Brigham  Young  University,  as  ad- 
ministrator: Brigham  Young  Uni- 
versity, Provo,  Utah,  the  largest 
university  in  the  intermountain  area; 
Ricks  College,  Rexburg,  Idaho;  LDS 
Business  College  of  Brigham  Young 
University,  Salt  Lake  City;  McCune 
School  of  Music  and  Art  of  Brigham 
Young  University,  Salt  Lake  City; 
Juarez  Academy  and  elementary 
schools,  Colonia  Juarez,  Chihuahua, 
Mexico;  116  full-time  and  236  part- 
time  seminaries;  20  full-time  and  13 
part-time  institutes.* 

Down   through   the   decades   since 

*The  Church  also  operates  other  schools  which  are 
not  part  of  this  system  but  which  are  administered 
in  the  missions.  These  include  The  Church  College 
of  Hawaii,  Liahona  College  in  Tonga,  Pesenga 
School   in   Samoa,   and   LDS   College  in  New  Zealand. 

796 


the  mid-1830's,  Latter-day  Saints 
have  toiled  unceasingly  for  education 
and  learning.  "The  glory  of  God  is 
intelligence"  has  been  for  them  more 
than  a  platitude;  it  has  been  a  goal 
assiduously  sought,  and  the  national 
leadership  of  the  Church  in  education 
attests  to  its  success. 

The  School  of  the  Prophets  was 
held  in  Salt  Lake  City,  St.  George, 
and  other  places,  as  late  as  1872,  but 
there  were  many  other  schools  also. 
Joseph  Smith  organized  a  secondary 
school — or  high  school — for  the 
young  people  of  Kirtland  in  1837. 
The  studies  included  Latin,  mathe- 
matics, history,  and  English. 

The  Saints  made  plans  for  a  school 
even  in  Far  West  during  the  terrible 
days  of  persecution,  and  in  Illinois 
they  established  the  University  of 
Nauvoo. 

Education  came  with  the  pioneers 
across  the  Great  Plains.  The  first 
band  of  pioneers  arrived  in  Salt  Lake 
Valley  in  July  1847,  and  by  October 
they  had  a  school  in  operation.  Soon 
they  moved  into  the  many  valleys 
of  the  intermountain  area,  and  hardly 
had  their  wagons  stopped  when  the 
ring  of  axes  began  to  announce  the 
construction   of   homes    and   schools. 

A  history  of  Manti  in  1850  states: 
"A  log  school  house  was  erected  and 
the  children  were  provided  with  the 
best  opportunities  for   obtaining   the 


education   that   the  primitive   colony 
could  offer." 

Here  is  an  early  record  from  Fill- 
more: "We  immediately  commenced 
to  build  a  corral  for  our  cattle;  we 
then  built  a  school  house  and  estab- 
lished a  school." 

This  story  was  about  the  same 
everywhere. 

At  one  time  the  Church  operated 
twenty-two  academies  in  addition  to 
its  many  elementary  schools.  These 
were  located  throughout  the  western 
valleys  from  Raymond,  Alberta,  Can- 
ada, on  the  north  to  Colonia  Juarez, 
Mexico,  on  the  south.  In  1850  was 
established  the  University  of  Deseret, 
which  later  became  the  University 
of  Utah. 

With  the  rise  of  public  schools,  it 
was  natural  for  the  Church  to  give 
up  some  of  these  functions.  It  estab- 
lished seminaries  close  to  public 
schools  and  institutes  near  colleges 
where  large  numbers  of  Latter-day 
Saint  students  were  enrolled. 

However,  the  Church  retained  a 
few  of  its  academies  and  in  1921  and 
1922  organized  them  into  junior  col- 
leges. Those  retained  were  Weber 
College  in  Ogden;  Ricks  College, 
Rexburg,  Idaho;  Gila  College  in 
Thatcher,  Arizona;  Dixie  College  in 
St.  George;  Snow  College  in  Ephraim; 
the  LDS  College  in  Salt  Lake  City; 
and  Juarez  Academy.     These  schools 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


John  L.  Clarke 
PRESIDENT  RICKS  COLLEGE 


Kenneth  S.  Bennion 

DIRECTOR   LDS   BUSINESS 

COLLEGE  BR.   OF   BYU 


N.  Lorenzo  Mitchell 

DIRECTOR    McCUNE     SCHOOL    OF 

MUSIC    BR.    OF    BYU 


John  Bennion  Tavlor 

SUPERINTENDENT  JUAREZ 

STAKE  SCHOOL 


greatly  augmented  the  educational 
systems  of  their  states  and  were  in 
operation  about  fifteen  years. 

In  the  1930's  Weber,  Snow,  Gila, 
and  Dixie  Colleges  were  turned  over, 
without  cost,  to  the  various  states, 
while  the  Church  retained  operation 
of  Ricks;  LDS  University  became  ex- 
clusively a  business  college;  McCune 
School  of  Music  and  Art,  Juarez 
Academy,  and  Brigham  Young  Uni- 
versity. 

Ricks,  established  in  1888  as  Ban- 
nock Stake  Academy,  became  a  two- 
year  junior  college  in  1931.  In  1950 
it  graduated  its  first  four-year  stu- 
dents, but  has  been  reorganized  again 
into  a  two-year  college  effective  this 
year.  President  of  Ricks  is  Dr.  John 
L.  Clarke. 

LDS  Business  College  began  in 
1886  as  Salt  Lake  Stake  Academy  in 
Social  Hall.  In  1887  it  was  com- 
bined with  Brigham  Young's  private 
school  near  Eagle  Gate  and  in  1889 
became  LDS  College.  In  1903  it 
moved  to  the  present  site  on  Main 
Street  and  in  1907  absorbed  the  Salt 
Lake  Business  College.  In  1931  it 
became  strictly  a  business  college 
and  is  now  a  branch  of  Brigham 
Young  University  with  an  enrolment 
of  about  1,700  a  year  in  night  and 
day  classes.  Its  director  is  Kenneth 
S.  Bennion. 

The  McCune  School  of  Music  and 
Art  began  in  1917  in  the  music  de- 
partment of  the  LDS  University,  and 
moved  to  its  present  location  in  the 
former  McCune  Mansion  in  1920.  It 
became  a  branch  of  BYU  in  1952. 
It  now  enrolls  2,085  students  a  year. 
Dircetor  is  Lorenzo  Mitchell. 

The  Juarez  Stake  Academy  in 
northern  Mexico  had  its  beginning 
in  a  one-room  log  house  in  1897.   By 

NOVEMBER  1956 


1912  the  school  had  300  students  in 
elementary  and  high  schools.  Last 
year  456  students  were  enrolled. 
Classes  are  taught  in  English  and 
Spanish.  J.  Ben  Taylor  is  superin- 
tendent. 

In  a  far-reaching  change  to  con- 
solidate this  widespread  organization 
for  more  efficient  and  effective  ad- 
ministration, the  First  Presidency  in 
July  1953  announced  the  unification 
of  the  entire  system  of  universities, 
colleges,  schools,  institutes,  and  semi- 
naries under  one  administrative  head. 
Dr.  Wilkinson  was  named  adminis- 
trator, with  Brigham  Young  Univer- 
sity as  the  mother  institution. 

Assisting  Dr.  Wilkinson  are  three 
other  executives,  also  at  Brigham 
Young  University:  Harvey  L.  Taylor, 
executive  assistant  to  the  president  of 
the  University;  William  E.  Berrett, 
vice  president  in  charge  of  religious 
education;  and  Dr.  William  F.  Ed- 
wards, vice  president  in  charge  of 
finance  and  business  administration. 

The  purposes  of  the  unified  Church 
School  System  were  stated  by  Elder 
Harold    B.    Lee    of    the  Council    of 


Twelve  in  a  recent  address.    He  said 
in  part: 

The  first  purpose  of  our  Church  schools 
is  to  teach  truth,  secular  truth,  so  effective- 
ly that  students  will  be  free  from  error, 
free  from  sin  .  .  .  free  from  vain  philos- 
ophies and  from  untried  unproven  theories 
of  science. 

The  second  objective  and  purpose  is  to 
educate  youth,  not  only  for  time,  but  for  all 
eternity. 

The  third  objective  is  to  so  teach  the 
gospel  that  students  will  not  be  misled  by 
purveyors  of  false  doctrines,  vain  specula- 
tions or  faulty  interpretation. 

The  fourth  objective,  to  prepare  students 
to  live  a  well-rounded  life. 

And  the  final  objective  of  Church  schools: 
to  set  the  stage  for  students  to  acquire  a 
testimony  of  the  reality  of  God  and  the 
divinity  of  his  work  .  .  .  and  to  help  youth 
to  gain  a  testimony  that  God  lives  and  that 
his  work  is  divine. 

Now  let  us  take  a  closer  look  at 
some  of  these  institutions: 

In  1912  the  first  seminary  building 
was  erected  next  to  Granite  High 
School  south  of  Salt  Lake  City.  It  is 
believed  to  have  been  the  first  school 
of  its  kind  in  the  United  States.    This 

(Continued  on  page  846) 


A.  Ted  Tuttle 


Boyd  K.  Packer 


SEMINARY 
SUPERVISORS 


797 


Marianne  C.  Sharp 

FIRST   COUNSELOR 


Belle  S.  Spafford 

PRESIDENT 


The  Relief  Society 

by  Belle  S.  Spafford 


PRESIDENT 


The  Relief  Society  of  the  Church 
of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints 
was  organized  March  17,  1842,  by 
the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith,  in  Nauvoo, 
Illinois. 

Sister  Sarah  M.  Kimball,  relating 
the  circumstances  which  led  to  the 
organization  of  Relief  Society,  stated 
that  the  sisters  wished  to  form  a 
"Ladies'  Society"  in  order  that  they 
might  combine  their  means  and 
efforts  to  assist  those  who  were  work- 
ing on  the  Nauvoo  Temple.  Sister 
Eliza  R.  Snow  drew  up  a  constitution 
and  bylaws  which  the  sisters  sub- 
mitted to  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith. 
The  Prophet  replied  ".  .  .  this  is  not 
what  you  want.  Tell  the  sisters  their 
offering  is  accepted  of  the  Lord,  and 
He  has  something  better  for  them 
than  a  written  constitution.  Invite 
them  all  to  meet  me  and  a  few  of 
the  brethren  in  the  Masonic  Hall 
over  my  store  next  Thursday  after- 
noon, and  I  will  organize  the  sisters 
under  the  Priesthood  after  a  pattern 
of  the  Priesthood."  (A  Centenary  of 
Relief  Society,  p.  14.) 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Society, 
President  Joseph  Smith  addressed  the 
sisters:  ".  .  .  to  illustrate  the  object 
of  the  Society  that  the  Society  of  the 

798 


sisters  might  provoke  the  brethren  to 
good  works  in  looking  to  the  wants 
of  the  poor,  searching  after  objects 
of  charity  and  in  administering  to 
their  wants — to  assist  by  correcting 
the  morals  and  strengthening  the  vir- 
tues of  the  community,  and  save  the 
elders  the  trouble  of  rebuking;  that 
they  may  give  their  time  to  other 
duties,  etc.,  in  their  public  teaching." 
(Ibid.,  p.  15.) 

While  the  fundamental  purposes  of 
the  Society  were  clearly  outlined  by 
the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  at  the 
initial  meeting,  supplementary  in- 
structions were  later  given  by  him 
and  have  also  been  given  by  the 
Presidents  of  the  Church  who  have 
succeeded  him.  Following  is  a  sum- 
mary of  the  aims  and  objects  of  the 
Society  as  gleaned  from  the  early 
records  of  the  institution  and  from 
the  instructions  given  from  time  to 
time  by  the  Church  leaders: 

To  manifest  benevolence;  to  care 
for  the  poor,  the  sick,  and  unfortu- 
nate; to  minister  where  death  reigns; 
to  assist  in  correcting  the  morals  and 
strengthening  the  virtues  of  com- 
munity life;  to  raise  human  life  to 
its  highest  level;  to  elevate  and  en- 
large the  scope  of  women's  activities 


Velma  N.  Simonsen 

SECOND  COUNSELOR 

and  conditions;  to  develop  leadership 
among  women;  to  foster  love  for  re- 
ligion, education,  culture,  and  re- 
finement; to  develop  faith;  to  save 
souls;  to  study  and  teach  the  gospel. 
Membership  in  Relief  Society  is 
open  to  any  woman  of  good  character. 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


It  is  expected  that  all  Latter-day  Saint 
women  will  avail  themselves  of  the 
blessings,  privileges,  and  opportuni- 
ties of  membership  and  contribute  to 
the  work  and  advancement  of  the 
Society. 

T^he  basic  work  of  the  Society  since 
*-  its  inception  has  been  to  "seek 
out  and  relieve  distress."  Tens  of 
thousands  of  hours  of  service  have 
been  given  in  caring  for  the  sick, 
comforting  the  sorrowing,  assisting 
where  death  reigns,  and  rendering 
other  compassionate  services.  Since 
the  inauguration  of  the  Church  wel- 
fare plan  in  1936,  Relief  Society  has 
not  only  continued  its  compassionate 
services,  but  it  has  also  supplied 
countless  hours  of  sewing,  canning, 
and  other  service  for  the  Church  wel- 
fare program.  Of  particular  im- 
portance have  been  the  visits  made 
to  families  in  need  by  ward  Relief 
Society  presidents  under  the  direction 
of  their  respective  bishops,  wherein 
family  needs  are  determined  and 
recommendations  made  to  the  bishops 
for  meeting  these  needs.  Relief  So- 
ciety fully  co-operates  with  the 
Church  welfare  program  in  meeting 
unusual  or  emergent  welfare  needs. 
Visiting  teaching,  initiated  in  1843, 


and  closely  identified  with  the  wel- 
fare activities  of  the  Society,  has  al- 
ways been  a  vital  part  of  the  work  of 
Relief  Society.  The  visiting  teaching 
program  provides  that  every  Latter- 
day  Saint  family  in  every  ward  or 
branch  of  the  Church  be  visited  once 
a  month  by  two  Relief  Society  sisters 
who  carry  greetings  and  messages 
from  the  Society  to  each  home  and 
who  observe  conditions  within  the 
home  and  report  confidentially  to 
the  ward  Relief  Society  president  any 
cases  of  need  they  may  have  observed 
or  which  otherwise  may  have  come 
to  their  attention. 

In  line  with  instructions  from  the 
Prophet  Joseph  Smith,  the  Society  has 
always  engaged  in  activities  of  an 
educational  nature.  Although  dur- 
ing the  beginning  years  there  was  no 
formal  class  instruction,  many  diversi- 
fied educational  opportunities  were 
afforded  the  sisters  through  the  So- 
ciety, and  the  sisters  engaged  in  dis- 
cussions of  the  restored  gospel,  which 


they  had  so  recently  accepted,  and 
in  testimony  bearing.  Since  1902, 
formal  class  instruction  has  been 
given  in  regular  Relief  Society  meet- 
ings. At  three  of  the  four  meetings 
held  for  the  general  membership  each 
month  during  the  membership  year, 
October  through  May,  uniform 
courses  of  study  in  theology,  litera- 
ture, and  social  science,  prepared 
under  the  direction  of  the  general 
board,  and  of  recent  years  approved  by 
the  Church  publications  committee, 
have  been  presented.  One  meeting 
each  month  is  devoted  to  sewing, 
principally  welfare  sewing,  and  to 
other  homemaking  arts  and  skills. 
The  educational  program  of  the 
Society  is  designed  to  strengthen  the 
testimonies  of  Relief  Society  members 
to  the  truthfulness  of  the  restored 
gospel;  to  make  Relief  Society  mem- 
bers better  Latter-day  Saints,  better 
mothers,  better  homemakers,  and 
better  citizens. 

(Continued  on  page  838) 


The  Relief  Society  general  board  members  are  from  left  to  right: 

First  row — Florence  J.  Madsen,  Josie  B.  Bay,  Evon  W.  Peterson,  First  Counselor 
Marianne  C.  Sharp,  President  Belle  S.  Spafford,  Secretary-treasurer  Margaret  C.  Pickering, 
Anna   B.  Hart,  Blanche  B.  Stoddard. 

Second  row — Aleine  M.  Young,  Winniefred  S.  Manwaring,  EIna  P.  Haymond,  Edith 
P.  Backman,  Annie  M.  Ellsworth,  Gladys  S.  Boyer,  Charlotte  A.  Larsen,  Helen  W.  Ander- 
son, Alberta  H.  Christensen,  Mildred  B.  Eyring,  Christine  H.  Robinson,  Leone  G.  Layton, 
Louise  W.  Madsen,  Mary  R.  Young.  Absent  from  the  picture  were  Second  Counselor 
Velma  N.  Simonsen  and  Edith  S.  Elliott. 


NOVEMBER  1956 


David  L.   McKay 


FIRST  ASS'T. 
GENERAL  SUPERINTENDENT 


George  R.  Hill 

GENERAL  SUPERINTENDENT 


Lynn  S.  Richards 


SECOND  ASS'T. 
GENERAL  SUPERINTENDENT 


Deseret  Sunday  School  Union 


by  George  R.  Hill 


GENERAL  SUPERINTENDENT 


The  great  movements  in  history 
are  the  expressions  of  the  inspira- 
tion and  vision  of  great  men  and 
their  dogged  determination  to  see 
these  inspirations  become  realities. 

In  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Latter-day  Saints,  Sunday  Schools 
were  held  at  irregular  times  at  Kirt- 
land,  Nauvoo,  and  Winter  Quarters. 
When  Brigham  Young  was  president 
of  the  British  Mission,  Latter-day 
Saint  Sunday  Schools  were  organized 
in  England  probably  as  early  as  1841. 
(The  Instructor  84:376.) 

Sagebrush  was  growing  in  the 
streets  of  Salt  Lake  City  when  that 
lovable  and  tireless  Scotsman,  Rich- 
ard Ballantyne,  rushed  to  comple- 
tion the  18  by  20  foot  living  room  of 
his  modest  adobe  cottage  at  First 
West  and  Third  South  Streets,  Salt 
Lake  City.  He  invited  the  boys  and 
girls  to  come  to  his  first  Sunday 
School,  December  9,  1849.  They 
came — twenty-nine  boys  and  girls — 
at  8  o'clock  in  the  morning  on  a  bitter 
cold,  windy  day.  They  were  seated 
on  split  logs  supported  by  wooden 
pegs  before  a  roaring  fireplace.  There 
they  listened  intently  to  stories  from 
the  Bible  and  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
and  learned  about  the  gospel  restora- 
tion from  the  Mps  of  this  great  teacher, 
Richard  Ballantyne.  "I  felt  the  gos- 
pel was  too  precious  to  myself  to  be 
withheld  from  the  children." 

800 


A  painting  •  by  Arnold  Friberg  of 
this  first  Sunday  School  hangs  in  the 
general  board  room  at  50  North  Main, 
Salt  Lake  City. 

How  that  first  Sunday  School  has 
grown!  In  1955  there  were  more  than 
4,000  Sunday  Schools  in  the  stakes 
and  missions  of  the  Church.  The  Sun- 
day School  enrolment  was  1,196,780 
in  the  stakes  and  missions  report- 
ing, with  an  average  weekly  attend- 
ance of  463,427,  or  38.72  percent  of 
this  enrolment. 

In  the  years  immediately  following 
1849,  Sunday  Schools  sprang  up  in 
settlements  up  and  down  the  terri- 
tory of  Utah. 

These  Sunday  Schools  were  inde- 
pendent of  each  other.  The  only  au- 
thority they  looked  to  was  that  of 
the  ward  bishopric.  There  were  no 
outlines  or  guides  to  follow,  no  man- 
uals, teacher's  supplements,  or  even 
songbooks.  But  if  the  Sunday  Schools 
were  to  be  of  real  significance  in 
teaching  the  gospel  to  the  children 
of  the  Church,  they  had  to  be  given 
guidance  and  centralized  direction.  At 
a  meeting  November  11,  1867,  Presi- 
dent Brigham  Young  proposed  that 
a  society  be  formed  under  the  name 
of  "Parent  Sunday  School  Union 
Society."  The  name  was  unanimously 
adopted. 

George  Q.  Cannon,  who  in   1866, 


out  of  his  love  for  children,  founded 
the  Juvenile  Instructor  for  the  pur- 
pose of  teaching  the  gospel  to  chil- 
dren, was  chosen  president  of  the 
new  society.  Edward  L.  Sloan  was 
made  general  secretary,  and  Robert 
L.  Campbell  and  George  Goddard, 
corresponding  secretaries.  Brigham 
Young,  Jr.,  Albert  Carrington,  and 
George  A.  Smith  were  appointed  as 
a  reading  committee. 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


For  five  years  the  Parent  Sunday 
School  Union  Society  struggled  along, 
visiting  Sunday  Schools  and  learn- 
ing much  from  observation  and  study 
of  the  needs  of  these  rapidly  multiply- 
ing Sunday  Schools  of  the  Church. 
The  Bible,  Book  of  Mormon,  and 
Doctrine  and  Covenants  were  recom- 
mended for  purchase  for  each  Sunday 
School  library.  Reading  around  was 
a  common  method  of  teaching.  David 
O.  Calder  was  appointed  to  teach  the 
tonic-sol-fa  system  of  singing  to  Sun- 
day School  teachers,  and  song  writers 
were  stimulated  to  provide  gospel 
songs,  which  were  published  in  The 
Juvenile  Instructor. 

In  1872  the  Parent  Sunday  School 
Union  Society  was  reorganized,  and 
the  Deseret  Sundav  School  Union, 
with  Elder  George  Q.  Cannon  as  gen- 
eral superintendent,  took  its  place. 
This  grand  leader  and  his  farseeing 
associates  adopted  many  procedures 
and  tried  numerous  expedients  to 
stabilize  and  unify  Sunday  School 
work.  Texts  and  teaching  materials 
of  various  kinds  were  brought  into 
use. 

The  Juvenile  Instructor  became  the 
official  organ  of  the  Deseret  Sunday 
School  Union.     It  published  outlines, 


books,  lesson  enrichment  stories,  and 
songs. 

Tn  1877  the  First  Presidency  directed 
*-  that  the  Sacrament  be  admin- 
istered in  all  of  the  Sunday  Schools  of 
the  Church. 

In  January  1884  a  second  edition 
of  Deseret  Sunday  School  Union 
Music  Book,  containing  eighty-eight 
songs,  at  least  sixty-five  of  which 
were  by  home  composers,  was  pub- 
lished. Twenty-seven  of  these  sixty- 
five  songs  are  in  the  hymnbook  to- 
day, and  another  seventeen  are  in 
The  Children  Sing — testimony  to  the 


prayerful  and  capable  conscientious 
work  of  Sunday  School  musicians 
prior  to  1884  in  developing  songs  that 
teach  the  gospel. 

These  giants  of  the  Deseret  Sunday 
School  Union  were  humble,  hard- 
working men  who  sought  and  re- 
ceived much  inspiration  from  the 
Lord.  They  reached  out  and  de- 
veloped musical  and  teaching  talent, 
resulting  in  many  choice  gospel 
hymns  and  songs  which  were  effec- 
tive in  teaching  the  gospel  to  the 
children  as  well  as  their  parents. 

The  term  "general  board"  was 
(Continued  on  page  849) 


GENERAL  BOARD  OF  THE  DESERET  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  UNION 

First  row,  left  to  right:  A  William  Lund,  Earl  J.  Glade,  Gerrit  dejong,  Jr.,  General 
Secretary  Richard  E.  Folland,  First  Assistant  General  Superintendent  David  Lawrence 
McKay,  General  Superintendent  George  R.  Hill,  Second  Assistant  General  Superintendent 
Lynn  S.  Richards,  A.  Hamer  Reiser,  Marie  F.  Felt,  Wendell  J.  Ashton. 

Second  row,  left  to  right:  Kenneth  S.  Bennion,  }.  Holman  Waters,  Leland  H.  Monson, 
Alexander  Schreiner,  Lorna  C.  Alder,  William  P.  Miller,  Ralph  B.  Keeler,  Vernon  J.  Lee- 
Master,  Claribel  W.  Aldous,  Eva  May  Green,  Melba  Glade. 

Third  row,  left  to  right:  Addie  L.  Swapp,  Henry  Eyring,  Carl  J.  Christensen,  Hazel  F. 
Young,  Beth  Hooper,  Reed  H.  Bradford,  Frank  S.  Wise,  David  A.  Shand,  Delmar  H.  Dick- 
son, Clarence  Tyndall,  Norman  R.  Gulbrandsen. 

Fourth  row,  left  to  right:  Wallace  G.  Bennett,  Addie  J.  Gilmore,  Camille  W.  Halliday, 
Margaret  Hopkinson,  Mima  Rasband,  Edith  M.  Nash,  Marion  G.  Merkley,  Minnie  E. 
Anderson,  Alva  H.  Parry,  Royden  G.  Derrick,  Harold  A.  Dent. 

Fifth  row,  left  to  right:  Assistant  General  Treasurer  Paul  B.  Tanner,  Horace  A. 
Christiansen,  Catherine  Bowles,  Raymond  B.  Holbrook,  Wayne  G.  Brown,  Lorin  F.  Wheel- 
wright, Joseph  Fielding  Smith,  Jr.,  Fred  W.  Schwendiman. 

Members  absent  when  picture  was  taken:  General  Treasurer  Wallace  F.  Bennett, 
Inez  Witbeck,  Lucy  G.  Sperry,  Archibald  F.  Bennett,  H.  Aldous  Dixon,  A.  Parley  Bates, 
W.  Lowell  Castleton,  Hazel  W.  Lewis,  Florence  S.  Allen,  Wilford  M.  Burton,  Asahel  D. 
Woodruff,  James  L.  Barker,  Clair  W.  Johnson,  Henry  L.  Isaksen,  Bernard  S.  Walker. 


NOVEMBER  1956 


801 


A.  Walter  Stevenson 


Elbert  R.  Curtis 


The  Young  Men's  Mutual 
Improvement  Association 

by  Elbert  R.  Curtis 

GENERAL  SUPERINTENDENT,  YMMIA 


YMMIA — magic  letters — what  do 
they  mean  to  you?  Perhaps  they 
mean  your  very  first  night  away 
from  home  with  a  troop  of  Boy  Scouts; 
perhaps  they  mean  your  Tenderfoot 
pin,  and  all  the  rest  of  your  Scout 
and  Explorer  awards,  your  Junior  M 
Men  awards,  and  finally  your  Master 
M  Man  pin,  with  its  six  pearls,  each 
representing  a  field  of  achievement, 
delicately  set  in  gold. 

Perhaps  they  mean  your  first  dance, 
and  how  concerned  you  were  to  hold 
your  best  girl  the  right  way  for  fear 
that  she  would  break  in  two;  or 
when  the  stake  rented  the  best  ball- 
room in  town  for  a  stake  banquet  and 
dance  at  the  conclusion  of  the  year; 
or  singing  in  a  music  festival  or  danc- 
ing in  a  divisional  dance  festival;  or 
participating  in  a  speech  contest  or 
the  great  athletic  tournaments. 

Perhaps  YMMIA  gave  you  your  first 
chance  to  apply  grease  paint  and  take 
part  in  a  play  or  a  roadshow?  Per- 
haps they  gave  you  the  opportunity 
to  make  your  words  come  to  life  from 
the  stage  as  they  assigned  you  the 
task  of  writing  a  roadshow  act  or  an 
original  play.  Remember  the  long 
hours  you  put  in  as  a  scenery  painter 
for  that  special  performance,  and  how 
you,  the  electrician,  worked  overtime 

802 


to  see  that  the  lighting  effect  was  just 
right?  Perhaps,  in  later  years,  YM 
MIA  has  meant  a  Special  Interest 
class,  and  the  opportunity  to  study  a 
little-known  but  fascinating  facet  of 
the  restored  gospel. 

Yes,  the  magic  letters  YMMIA  can 
mean  many  things.  But  of  course  they 
stand  for  Young  Men's  Mutual  Im- 
provement Association — the  Church's 
great  week-day  activity  (together 
with  its  partner,  the  Young  Women's 
Mutual  Improvement  Association)  for 
young  adults  and  adults  who  like  to 
stay  young. 

How  did  this  organization  come 
about?  Let's  go  back  to  the  year 
1875.  At  that  time  the  "Retrench- 
ment Society"  which  Brigham  Young 
had  organized  first  for  his  own  daugh- 
ters was  five  and  one-half  years  old. 
It  was  the  thinking  of  the  great  pio- 
neer leader  that  the  young  men  of 
Zion  needed  a  similar  organization.1 

In  commissioning  Junius  F.  Wells, 
then  in  his  twenty-first  year,  to  form 
an  organization  in  the  Thirteenth 
Ward  in  Salt  Lake  City  (which  or- 
ganization has  become  accepted  as 
the  beginning  of  the  YMMIA  pro- 
gram), President  Brigham  Young 
said: 

We  want  to  have  our  young  men  enrolled 


David  S.  King 


and  organized  throughout  the  Church,  so 
that  we  shall  know  who  and  where  they 
are,  so  that  we  can  put  our  hands  upon 
them  at  any  time  for  any  service  that  may 
be  required.  We  want  them  to  hold  meet- 
ings where  they  will  stand  up  and  speak — 
get  into  the  habit  of  speaking — and  of  bear- 
ing testimony.  These  meetings  are  to  be 
for  our  young  men,  to  be  composed  of  young 
men  for  their  improvement — a  society  of 
young  men  for  mutual  improvement.  There 
is  your  name:  "The  Young  Men's  Mutual 
Improvement  Soci- Association." 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


That  evening  (it  was  Thursday, 
June  10,  1875)  Elder  Wells  went  to 
the  Thirteenth  Ward  Assembly 
Rooms  on  Second  South,  just  east  of 
State  Street,  where  the  meeting  had 
been  called  to  organize  the  associa- 
tion. He  found  the  room  filled  with 
men,  some  of  whom  were  expecting 
to  be  addressed  by  Brigham  Young. 
But  President  Young  had  a  previous 
appointment.  Elder  Wells  addressed 
the  group  for  fifty  minutes,  outlining 
the  new  organization,  and  covering 
the  points  of  the  interview  with  Presi- 
dent Young.  At  the  close  of  the  meet- 
ing he  requested  those  who  were  will- 
ing to  join  the  organization  to  remain, 
and  he  took  down  eighteen  names. 

Because  Elder  Wells  was  about  to 
go  on  a  long  trip,  in  President  Young's 
company,  to  southern  Utah,  regular 
meetings  were  not  commenced  until 
the  nineteenth  of  August.  Elder 
Heber  J.  Grant  (later  President  of 
the  Church)  was  the  secretary  of  the 
association. 

During  the  late  summer  and  early 
fall  the  work  of  organizing  associa- 
tions of  the  young  men  in  the  various 
communities  of  the  Church  was  con- 
tinued. A  tour  was  made  to  "distant" 
communities  as  far  away  as  Brigham 


City  on  the  north  and  St.  George  on 
the  south.  Then  on  November  1, 
1875,  Elder  Wells  departed  to  fill  a 
mission  to  the  Eastern  States. 

Elders  John  Henry  Smith,  Milton 
H.  Hardy,  and  B.  Morris  Young  were 
called  by  the  First  Presidency  on 
November  6,  1875,  to  continue  the 
YMMIA  work. 

The  work  grew,  more  organizations 
were  formed,  until  the  need  for  a 
central  organization  became  press- 
ingly  apparent.  This  was  formally 
completed  in  the  Council  House, 
Salt  Lake  City,  December  8,  1876, 
with  Junius  F.  Wells,  president;  M. 
H.  Hardy,  first  counselor;  Rodney  C. 
Badger,  second  counselor;  John  Nich- 
olson, secretary;  Richard  W.  Young, 


assistant  secretary;  George  F.  Gibbs, 
corresponding  secretary;  and  Mathoni 
W.  Pratt,  treasurer.  When  the 
"branch  societies"  (ward  or  stake) 
were  organized,  each  president  of  a 
society  automatically  became  a  mem- 
ber of  this  central  organization.  There 
were  other  members  of  the  central 
group  as  well. 

One  of  the  notable  fields  of  en- 
deavor other  than  youth  activities 
in  which  the  YMMIA  has  engaged 
has  been  in  the  field  of  publications. 
Junius  F.  Wells  was  the  editor  and 
publisher  of  the  first  issue  of  The 
Contributor  in  October  1879.  The 
title  page  of  volume  -one  proclaimed 
the    magazine    as    "representing    the 

(Concluded  on  page  844) 


OFFICERS  AND  GENERAL  BOARD  OF  THE  YMMIA: 

First  row,  left  to  right:  Harold  Glen  Clark,  E.  Allen  Bateman,  Assistant  Secretary 
Charles  E.  Mitchner,  Jr.,  General  Secretary  Alma  H.  Pettigrew,  First  Assistant  General 
Superintendent  A.  Walter  Stevenson,  General  Suprintendent  Elbert  R.  Curtis,  Second  As- 
sistant General  Superintendent  David  S.  King,  Frank  W.  McGhie,  Crawford  M.  Gates, 
Joy  F.  Dunyon. 

Second  row:  Clark  P.  Russell,  Clark  N.  Stohl,  W.  Floyd  Millet,  Lynn  Hales,  Forace 
Green,   Richard  L.  Gunn,  William  B.  Smart,  George  LaMont  Richards,   Elvis   B.   Terry. 

Third  row:  Albert  O.  Mitchell,  Rulon  B.  Stanford,  John  U.  Webber,  Lee  Jepperson, 
Ted  Bushman,  Kenneth  H.  Sheffield,  Gordon  Owen,  Harry  Clarke,  Alma  Heaton,  George 
I.  Cannon. 

Fourth  row:  Adolphus  P.  Warnick,  Francis  L.  Urry,  Doyle  L.  Green,  Royal  L.  Garff, 
Irving  P.  Beesley,  L.  Clair  Likes,  Knight  B.  Kerr,  Stanford  G.  Smith,  Roy  W.  Doxey, 
Wallace  F.  Toronto,  Richard  S.  Tanner,  Marvin  J.  Ashton. 

Those  not  pictured:  Ralph  W.  Hardy,  Roy  M.  Darley,  Leon  L.  Imlay,  Armond  F.  Carr, 
David  Llewellyn  Roberts,  Lester  F.  Hewlett,  Jr.,  Parley  H.  Liddle. 


NOVEMBER  1956 


803. 


Emily  H.  Bennett 


Bertha  S.  Reeder 


The  Growth  of  the  Young  Women's 
Mutual  Improvement  Association 


by  Bertha  S.  Reeder 

GENERAL  PRESIDENT,  YWMIA 


[ighty-five  years  of  growth  and 
I  achievement  have  made  the 
Young  Women's  Mutual  Im- 
provement Association  a  magic  for- 
mula for  providing  spiritual  food  for 
young  women  in  both  lessons  and 
recreation.  The  lessons,  pointing  up 
the  way  to  ideals  of  life,  and  the 
activities  such  as  dance,  public  speak- 
ing, drama,  and  music,  indicating  the 
way  of  recreation  in  wholesome  fun 
— both  have  brought  enrichment  of 
living  to  all  members  of  the  YWMIA. 

Basically  the  same  ideals  that 
prompted  President  Brigham  Young 
to  organize  his  own  daughters  into  the 
"Young  Ladies'  Department  of  the 
Co-operative  Retrenchment  Associa- 
tion," forerunner  to  the  YWMIA, 
still  persist  among  the  more  than 
152,000  young  women  enrolled  in 
this  organization. 

President  Young's  admonition  to 
his  daughters — and  therefore  to  all 
young  women — was  succinct  and 
straightforward:  "I  desire  to  organ- 
ize my  own  family  first  into  a  society 
for  the  promotion  of  habits  of  order, 
thrift,  industry,  and  charity;  and, 
above  all  things,  I  desire  them  to  re- 
trench from  their  extravagance  in 
dress,  in  eating,  and  even  in  speech. 

804 


"I  have  long  had  it  in  mind  to 
organize  the  young  ladies  of  Zion 
into  an  association  so  that  they  might 
assist  the  older  members  of  the 
Church,  their  fathers  and  mothers, 
in  propagating,  teaching,  and  practis- 
ing the  principles  I  have  been  so  long 
in  teaching.  There  is  a  need  for  the 
young  daughters  of  Israel  to  get  a 
living  testimony  of  the  truth.  More 
testimonies  are  obtained  on  the  feet 
than  on  the  knees.***  I  want  you  to 
vote  to  retrench  in  your  dress,  in  your 
tables,  in  your  speech,  wherein  you 
have  been  guilty  of  silly,  extravagant 
speeches  and  light-mindedness  of 
thought.  Retrench  in  everything 
that  is  bad  and  worthless,  and  im- 
prove in  everything  that  is  good  and 
beautiful." 

Each  succeeding  President  of  the 
Church  has  indicated  the  importance 
of  the  assignment  of  the  YWMIA 
among  the  auxiliaries  of  the  Church. 
Each  President  has  expected  the  YW 
MIA  to  do  its  part  to  assist  in  build- 
ing the  kingdom  of  heaven  on  earth. 

Five  general  presidents  of  the 
YWMIA  have  labored  diligently  and 
well  to  build  better  lives  for  all  the 
girls  who  have  or  should  have  en- 
rolled in  the  Mutual.     Under  these 


LaRue  C.  Longden 


wonderful  women  and  their  gifted 
counselors,  the  faithful  workers  in  the 
wards  and  stakes  have  implemented 
the  program,  adapting  it  to  the  needs 
of  individual  situations  which  have 
existed  in  their  areas. 

The  YWMIA  has  spanned  the  years 
from  the  horse  and  buggy  days  of 
November  1869  to  the  age  of  the  jet 
airplane  in  1956.  But  fundamentally 
the  purposes  have  remained  stedfast 
and  true,  insuring  the  building  of 
happy  lives  for  those  young  women 
who  make  these  purposes  their  own. 

In  the  early  days  the  YWMIA  con- 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


sisted  of  one  large  class,  young  and 
old  attending  and  listening  to  the 
same  presentation.  It  was  not  long, 
however,  before  the  leaders  recog- 
nized that  the  language  and  problems 
of  the  younger  members  differed 
markedly  from  those  of  the  older  folk. 
Provision  was  made  that,  although 
the  same  lessons  would  be  used,  the 
younger  women  might  be  divided 
from  the  older  ones  and  be  given  the 
lessons  adapted  to  their  language, 
understanding,  and  needs.  In  1913 
the  work  of  the  Camp  Fire  Girl  pro- 
gram was  introduced,  largely  for  sum- 
mer work,  for  the  fourteen  and  fifteen 
year  old  girls,  since  that  was  then  the 
age  for  enrolment  in  the  YWMIA. 
Although  this  program  proved  a  good 
one,  it  was  not  quite  adaptable  to 
the  girls  of  the  Church.  In  1914 
when  the  Bee  Hive  program  was 
adopted,  Dr.  Luther  Gulick,  founder 
and  president  of  the  Camp  Fire  Girls, 
commended  the  committee  of  the 
YWMIA  which  had  established  the 
Bee  Hive  department  by  stating,  "In 
some  respects  you  have  I  believe 
struck  a  truer  note"  than  even  his 
organization.  The  Bee  Hive  program 
started  largely  as  a  summer  activity 
program  but  shortly  thereafter  was 
adopted  for  the  entire  year's  work. 

This  new  department  alleviated  the 
situation  somewhat,  but  not  enough, 


and  in  1921  a  further  department  was 
introduced  which  had  been  perfected 
by  Granite  Stake.  It  became  the 
Gleaner  department.  As  the  Church 
has  grown,  the  YWMIA  has  grown, 
and  today  there  are  divisions  for  the 
various  age  groups,  each  with  its 
own  lessons  and  with  its  own  indi- 
vidual activities,  as  well  as  general 
recreation  for  the  entire  association. 
Even  as  the  divisions  were  made 
for  age  groupings  (today  including 
Bee  Hive,  Mia  Maid,  Junior-Gleaner, 
Gleaner,  and  Special  Interest),  so  the 
activities  have  been  separated  from 
the  lesson  departments  into  special 
committees,  including  music,  drama, 
dance,  speech,  and  sports.  And  with 
these  activities  came  the  great  impetus 
of  spiritualized  recreation  which  has 
characterized  the  MIA  and  has  set 
its  stamp  on  the  organization  to  make 


it  differ  from  commercial  recreation 
or  that  in  non-LDS  organizations. 
No  theatrical  presentation  occurs 
without  first  asking  for  the  Lord's 
spirit  to  be  in  attendance;  no  dance  is 
held  without  prayer — both  before  and 
after;  and  each  Mutual  session  is  con- 
vened and  dismissed  with  prayer. 
There  is  no  activity  so  small  that  the 
spirit  of  the  Lord  is  not  invoked  to  be 
present;  and  likewise,  no  activity  is  so 
great  that  it  can  dispense  with  the 
same  spirit. 

Each  general  president  has  made 
her  particular  and  peculiar  contribu- 
tion to  the  work  of  this  auxiliary. 
And  each  has  met  the  problems  of  her 
day  and,  with  the  capable  workers  in 
the  wards  and  stakes,  offered  solu- 
tions which  have  made  the  YWMIA 
an  effective  organization  for  good 
(Continued  on  page  842) 


OFFICERS   AND    GENERAL    BOARD   MEMBERS: 

Front  row,  left  to  right:  Ruth  H.  Funk,  Irma  R.  Heiss,  Gladys  D.  Wight,  Norma  P. 
Anderson,  First  Counselor  Emily  H.  Bennett,  General  President  Bertha  S.  Reeder,  Second 
Counselor  LaRue  C.  Longden,  Secretary-Treasurer  Helena  W.  Larson,  Attendance  Secre- 
tary Helen  D.  Lingwall,  Marba  C.  Josephson. 

Second  Row:  Jeannette  H.  Demars,  Edna  K.  Pay,  Merle  P.  Poulson,  Hazel  A.  Snow, 
Sara  D.  Yates,  Carol  H.  Cannon,  Florence  B.  Pinnock,  Gladys  E.  Harbertson,  Pearl  B. 
Johnson. 

Third  Row:  Hulda  Parker,  Moana  B.  Bennett,  Rita  J.  Nash,  Caroline  E.  Miner, 
Marie  Stuart,  Margrit  F.  Lohner,  Lorraine  Bowman,  Kathryn  Fairbanks,  Violet  H.  Grix, 
Dolores  G.  Merrill. 

Fourth  Row:  Lorna  Tayler,  Dorothy  Jacobson,  Virginia  H.  McDonald,  Jane  Thompson, 
Edith  F.  Shepherd,  Joyce  Roberts,  Betty  Killpack,  Allie  Howe,  Joie  E.  McKean,  Grace  C. 
Milner,  Alice  C.  Christensen,  Carolyn  Dunn,  Edna  Leaver,  Karin  1.  Aronson. 

Board  members  absent  from  picture:  Ethel  Baker  Callis,  Velma  Harvey,  Clela  B. 
Jorgensen,  Iva  Lou  Peterson. 


NOVEMBER  1956 


805 


Arta  M.  Hale 


Leone  W.  Doxey 


LaVern  W.  Parmley 


From  a  Little  Rock  Church  to  the  World 

THE   GROWTH   OF   THE   PRIMARY   ASSOCIATION 

by  LaVern  W.  Parmley 


In  March  1878,  Sister  Aurelia  Spen- 
cer Rogers  felt  the  need  for  an 
organization  where  young  Latter- 
day  Saint  boys  could  be  taught 
"everything  good  and  how  to  be- 
have." She  noticed  that  many  of 
them  were  allowed  to  be  out  on  the 
streets  at  night  and  were  learning 
things  that  little  boys  should  never 
learn.  Some  of  them  were  growing 
up  to^be  "hoodlums"  rather  than  good 
Latter-day  Saints  and  gentlemen. 
Then  Sister  Rogers  had  an  idea.  It 
was  inspiration  from  our  Heavenly 
Father,  who  is  always  concerned 
about  his  children.  Sister  Rogers  asked 
Sister  Eliza  R.  Snow,  "Could  there 
not  be  an  organization  for  little  boys 
and  have  them  trained  to  make  better 
men?" 

Sister  Snow  consulted  President 
John  Taylor  and  members  of  the 
Council  of  the  Twelve  who  approved 
such  an  organization. 

A  letter  was  written  to  Bishop  John 
Hess  of  Farmington,  Utah,  who  then 
asked  Sister  Rogers  to  preside  over 
the  first  Primary  in  the  Church.  Up 
to  this  point  the  girls  had  not  been 
mentioned,  but  Sister  Rogers  felt  a 
meeting  would  not  be  complete  with- 
out them.  Singing  was  necessary,  and 
it  needed  the  voices  of  girls  as  well 
as  of  boys.  A  letter  was  sent  to  Sister 
Snow  asking  her  opinion,  and  in  her 

806 


answer  she  wrote:  "I  feel  assured  that 
the  inspiration  of  heaven  is  direct- 
ing you,  and  that  a  great  and  very 
important  movement  is  being  in- 
augurated for  the  future  Zion.  We 
must  have  the  girls  as  well  as  the 
boys.  They  must  be  trained  to- 
gether." 

Sister  Snow  suggested  the  organiza- 
tion be  called  "Primary." 

On  August  11,  1878,  Sister  Rogers 
was  set  apart  to  preside  over  the  first 
Primary.  The  children,  115  boys  and 
100  girls,  were  called  together  in  the 
little  rock  church  for  the  first  time  on 
August  25,  1878. 

On  June  19,  1880,  Sister  Louie  B. 
Felt  was  appointed  the  first  general 
president  of  the  Primary  Association. 
A  sound  foundation  was  laid  for 
teaching  lessons  in  faith,  obedience, 
and  devotion  to  the  ways  of  righteous- 
ness. 

Sister  May  Anderson  followed  as 
general  president.  Under  her  super- 
vision the  Primary  was  divided  into 
ten  groups  according  to  ages  and 
given  names  such  as  Home  Builders, 
Trail  Builders,  etc.  In  1952,  the  name 
for  the  seven-  and  eight-year-old 
groups  was  changed  from  Zion's  Boys 
and  Girls  to  the  Pilot  groups.  In 
1956  the  four-,  five-,  and  six-year-old 
groups  were  named  Sunbeams,  Stars, 
and  Rainbows. 


Sister  May  Green  Hinckley  was  ap- 
pointed president  in  January  1940. 
During  her  administration  the  offi- 
cial seal,  theme,  and  colors  were 
adopted.  The  seal  denotes  faith  and 
service.  The  theme  reads,  "And  they 
shall  also  teach  their  children  to  pray, 
and  to  walk  uprightly  before  the 
Lord."  Red,  yellow,  and  blue  are  the 
colors  of  the  Primary.  These  colors 
are  the  foundation  colors  from  which 
all  others  are  made.    In  a  similar  way 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


the  Primary  lays  a  foundation  for  a 
testimony  of  the  restored  gospel. 

Sister  Adele  Cannon  Howells  was 
the  fourth  general  president.  Many 
projects  were  instigated  under  her  di- 
rection. Primary  workers  and  chil- 
dren contributed  funds  for  the  mural 
decoration  of  the  baptismal  font  room 
in  the  Idaho  Falls  Temple. 

A  weekly  quiz  show  now  called 
Junior  Council  was  inaugurated.  This 
program  is  still  being  televised  and 
is  one  of  the  oldest  television  programs 
in  Salt  Lake  City. 

Various  assignments  have  been 
given  to  the  Primary  Association  by 
the  First  Presidency. 

1.  "We  approve  the  recommenda- 
tion that  the  Primary  Association 
shall  have  charge  of  the  conducting 
or  directing  of  the  leisure  and  recrea- 
tional activities  of  the  children  of 
the  Church  from  four  to  eleven  years 
inclusive. 

2.  "We  assign  to  the  Primary  Asso- 
ciation the  responsibility  of  carrying 
on  a  weekday  religious  program  for 
the  children  of  the  Church. 

3.  "We  have  assigned  to  the  Pri- 
mary Association  of  the  Church  the 
duty  of  establishing  the  Cub  Scout 
program  of  the  Boy  Scouts  of  Amer- 
ica among  the  boys  in  the  Church 
of   eligible   age,   wherever   conditions 


are  regarded  as  suitable  for  this  pur- 
pose. The  Primary  Association  will 
also  take  from  the  Young  Men's  Mu- 
tual Improvement  Association  the  re- 
sponsibility for  and  supervision  of  the 
Boy  Scout  program  for  eleven-year- 
olds." 

The  following  excerpts  are  from  a 
letter  written  to  Primary  leaders  by 
President  David  O.  McKay  in  regard 
to  the  scouting  assignment: 

"May  I  take  this  opportunity  of  ex- 
pressing my  appreciation  to  Primary 
leaders  for  the  work  accomplished  in 
preparing  boys  to  receive  the  priest- 
hood. 

"With  the  addition  of  scouting  we 
add  strength  and  interest  and  reach 
out  to  include  every  eleven-year-old 
boy.  I  am  convinced  that  participa- 
tion in  this  combined  program  is  one 
of  the  most  helpful  experiences  a 
boy  can  have. 


"Most  careful  attention  should  be 
given  to  the  selection  of  leaders  who 
are  spiritually  qualified  and  capable 
to  direct  the  activities  of  scouting. 

"The  instruction  of  the  Church  has 
been,  and  still  is,  that  scouting  for 
the  eleven-year-old  boys  is  a  day- 
time program.  Overnight  camping 
trips  should  not  be  planned  for  these 
boys." 

1?rom  a  humble  beginning  in  the 
*  little  rock  church  in  Farmington, 
Utah,  the  Primary  now  reaches  all 
parts  of  the  world.  There  are  1,988 
organized  Primaries  in  the  stakes  and 
1,233  in  the  missions.  The  lives  of 
213,769  children  were  touched  by 
Primary  last  year.  There  is  an  aver- 
age weekly  attendance  of  sixty-nine 
percent  of  the  boys  and  girls  enrolled. 
There  are  8,159  non-member  chil- 
(Concluded  on  page  842) 


GENERAL  BOARD  OF  PRIMARY 

First  row,  left  to  right:  Thelma  B.  de  Jong,  Thelma  J.  Ryser,  Delsa  P.  Stevens,  Arta  M. 
Hale,  first  counselor;  LaVern  W.  Parmley,  president;  Leone  W.  Doxey,  second  counselor; 
Helen  Beth  Henrichsen,  secretary;  Norma  F.  Knight,  Eileen  R.  Dunyon,  Mary  P.  Parrish. 

Second  row,  left  to  right:  Hermana  F.  Lyon,  Lucy  C.  Dutson,  Alta  Miller,  Lue  Groes- 
beck,  Lucelle  R.  Taylor,  Myrl  W.  Hamilton,  Amy  M.  Casto,  Bertha  B.  Proctor,  Vauna  S. 
Jacobsen,  Phyllis  H.  Shorten,  Naomi  W.  Randall,  Norma  O.  Nichols. 

Third  row,  left  to  right:  Lucille  A.  Douglas,  Sarah  L.  Johnson,  Regena  J.  Anderson, 
Tessie  G.  Post,  Fern  F.  Whipple,  Kathryn  S.  Gilbert,  Edna  M.  Faux,  Minnie  B.  Sorensen, 
Bernice  Einzinger,  Catharine  A.  Rich,  June  Carlisle. 

Fourth  row,  left  to  right:  Helen  B.  Evans,  Ada  B.  Maxfield,  Beth  S.  Davey,  Ada  S. 
Van  Dam,  Blanch  D.  Sundberg,  Edith  S.  Patrick,  Olga  C.  Brown,  Clara  W.  McMaster, 
Sybil  W.  Hansen,  Johanna  V.  Sharnborg,  Ardella  R.  Lowry,  Zina  C.  Brockbank,  Orpha  S. 
Boyden. 


NOVEMBER  1956 


807 


Joseph  Fielding  Smith 
PRESIDENT 


Mark  E.  Petersen 
VICE-PRESIDENT 


Archibald  F.    Bennett 
SECRETARY 


The  Genealogical  Society 

by  Mark  E.  Petersen 

OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  TWELVE 


The  Church  is  progressive  and 
forward  looking.     This  is  one 
of  the  reasons  for  its  amazing 
growth  throughout  the  world. 

One  of  its  most  modern  develop- 
ments is  the  work  of  the  Genealogical 
Society  which  has  kept  abreast  of  the 
times  in  such  a  manner  as  to  provide 
for  the  Latter-day  Saints  a  remark- 
able means  of  searching  out  the  rec- 
ords of  their  dead  in  preparation  for 
temple  work. 

There  is  hardly  a  member  of  the 
Church  from  America  or  Europe 
whose  ancestry  may  not  be  traced 
with  considerable  success  through  the 
facilities  of  the  Genealogical  Society. 
Its  records  have  been  obtained  in 
microfilm  or  book  form  from  virtually 
every  Caucasian  nation  and  today  are 
available  for  research  in  Salt  Lake 
City. 

Whereas  in  the  past  many  were 
obliged  to  visit  Europe  and  there 
search  the  records  of  their  own  fami- 
lies, now  they  need  but  contact  the 
library  and  archives  of  The  Gene- 
alogical Society  of  the  Church.  There 
they  may  see  in  photographic  form 
the  very  records  on  which  their  fam- 
ily names  were  kept  in  foreign  lands 
and  may  study  and  transcribe  them. 
The  most  modern  devices  are  avail- 
able to  help  them  do  so. 

As  is  the  case  with  other  activities 
of  the  Church,  the  work  of  this  so- 

808 


ciety  today  is  in  great  contrast  to  its 
humble  beginning.  But  the  begin- 
ning of  the  society  was  a  wise  one; 
the  work  was  directed  by  inspired 
leaders;  and  upon  the  foundation 
which  they  laid  with  such  remark- 
able foresight  the  structure  of  today 
has  been  built. 

Under  the  name  of  The  Gene- 
alogical Society  of  Utah  the  organiza- 
tion was  formed  in  November  1894 
through  the  sponsorship  of  the  First 
Presidency  of  the  Church.  A  few 
brethren  vitally  interested  in  gene- 
alogical research  and  temple  work 
met  in  the  old  Historian's  Office  at 
60  South  Temple  Street  in  Salt  Lake 
City  and  formed  the  society  with 
their  objective  stated  as  follows: 

"We  the  undersigned  members  of 
the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter- 
day  Saints  do  hereby  associate  our- 
selves together  in  an  organization  to 
be  known  by  the  name  and  style  of 
The  Genealogical  Society  of  Utah, 
the  purposes  of  which  are  benevolent 
in  collecting,  compiling,  establishing, 
and  maintaining  a  genealogical  li- 
brary for  the  use  and  benefit  of  its 
members  and  others;  educational  in 
disseminating  information  regarding 
genealogical  matters;  religious  in  ac- 
quiring records  of  deceased  persons 
in  connection  with  ordinances  of  the 
religion  of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus 
Christ,  as  that  religion  is  understood 


in  the  doctrines  and  discipline  of  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day 
Saints  and  set  forth  in  the  revelations 
of  God;  said  association  to  be  con- 
ducted in  harmony  with  the  rules 
and  order  of  said  Church." 

The  society  was  incorporated  on 
November  21,  1894,  with  a  fifty-year 
corporate  charter. 

At  the  end  of  the  fifty  years,  the 
society  was  re-incorporated  under  a 
changed  title:  "The  Genealogical  So- 
ciety of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 
of  Latter-day  Saints." 

The  first  president  of  the  society 
was  Elder  Franklin  D.  Richards, 
Church  Historian.  His  great  en- 
couragement and  foresight  were  large- 
ly responsible  for  the  early  success 
of  the  organization.  It  was  he  who 
tendered  the  upper  room  of  the  his- 
torian's office  for  the  use  of  the  so- 
ciety, and  he  made  some  of  the  first 
gifts  of  books  which  formed  the 
nucleus  for  a  genealogical  library. 
President  Anthon  H.  Lund,  also 
Church  Historian  and  Recorder,  was 
appointed  to  the  position  of  president 
of  the  society  upon  the  death  of 
Elder  Richards  in  1899.  He  in  turn 
was  succeeded  by  President  Charles 
W.  Penrose  in  1921,  by  President 
Anthony  W.  Ivins  in  1925,  and  by 
Elder  Joseph  Fielding  Smith  of  the 
Council  of  Twelve,  Church  Historian 
and  Recorder,  in  1934. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


A.  William  Lund 


James  M.  Kirkham 


DIRECTORS 


L.  Garrett  Myers 


EIRay   L.   Christiansen 


President  Joseph  Fielding  Smith  has 
been  associated  with  the  society  in 
an  official  way  for  over  fifty  years. 
He  has  served  as  librarian,  secretary, 
treasurer,  director,  vice  president, 
chairman  of  the  executive  board,  and 
first  editor  of  the  Utah  Genealogical 
and  Historical  Magazine. 

Speaking  in  a  genealogical  meeting 
in  the  Assembly  Hall  in  1910,  Presi- 
dent Francis  M.  Lyman  of  the  Coun- 
cil of  the  Twelve  urged  the  Saints 
to  pay  great  attention  to  preserving 
the  present-day  records  of  their  so- 
ciety, and  predicted  that  the  day 
would  come  when  the  society  would 
be  one  of  the  greatest  and  most  power- 
ful organizations  in  the  Church.  It 
is  that  today. 

The  library  was  commenced  with 
about  one  hundred  volumes  which 
consisted  primarily  of  genealogies  and 
pedigrees  of  English  families.  How- 
ever, by  April  11,  1899,  the  library 
had  388  books,  and  since  that  date 
the  number  of  volumes  has  steadily 
increased  into  many  thousands.  Un- 
til 1938  the  records  of  the  society 
consisted  of  printed  books  and  manu- 
scripts. 

The  Genealogical  Society  began  the 
use  of  microfilm  in  1938.  Since  that 
time  the  microfilm  work  has  become 
one  of  the  great  factors  in  the  progress 
of  the  society.  It  has  gone  on  to  the 
point  where  now  the  society  has. 
available  in  film  to  be  placed  on 
reading  machines  210,281,238  pages 
of  records.  Photographers  have  visited 
Sweden,  Great  Britain,  including  Ire- 
land, Scotland,  Wales,  and  the  Isle 
of  Man;  Denmark,  Finland,  the 
Netherlands,  Germany,  Mexico,  Nor- 
way, Switzerland,  Iceland,  Canada, 
France,  Italy,  and  other  countries. 

NOVEMBER  1956 


In  addition  to  that,  much  micro- 
filming of  vital  records  has  been  done 
here  in  the  United  States.  It  has 
been  completed  in  Connecticut,  Dela- 
ware, Maryland,  New  Hampshire, 
North  Carolina,  Rhode  Island,  Ten- 
nessee, Vermont,  and  Virginia,  and  is 
still  being  carried  on  in  Florida, 
Georgia,  Hawaii,  Kentucky,  Maine, 
New  Jersey,  New  York,  Ohio,  Penn- 
sylvania, South  Carolina,  and  Utah. 

Where  the  society  has  not  sent  its 
own  photographers,  it  has  purchased 
microfilms  from  other  organizations 
in  virtually  all  of  the  states  of  the 
American  Union.  The  census  rec- 
ords of  the  United  States  for  1830, 
1840,  1850,  1860  are  in  possession  of 
the  society  and  are  generally  com- 
plete for  all  of  the  states  of  the  Union. 
Part  of  the  1870  census  is  also  in  the 
library.  In  addition  to  all  of  these 
films,  many  thousands  of  other  books 
are  available. 

It  should  be  mentioned  that  one 
of  the  most  fruitful  departments  for 
research  is  the  archive  section,  where 
at  the  present  time  about  3,000,000 
family  group  sheets  are  accessible. 
The  daily  growth  in  this  department 
is  approximately  1,000  sheets.  About 
3,500  cards  are  sent  to  the  index 
bureau  every  day  for  filing.  Facilities 
for  the  public  have  been  so  increased 
in  the  archives  that  there  are  now 
spaces  for  48  people  to  work  at  desks 
in  that  one  department  alone.  There 
are  about  450  binders  given  out  every 
day  for  the  use  of  patrons. 

rPHE   Church   Genealogical  Society 
provides  for  the  Saints  a  remark- 
able service  in  research  activity.    At 


the  present  time,  there  are  nearly 
6,000  active  research  accounts  being 
handled  by  the  society.  Twenty- 
seven  researchers  are  steadily  en- 
gaged performing  work  in  Denmark, 
Norway,  Sweden,  Holland,  England, 
Wales,  Scotland,  Ireland,  Germany, 
Switzerland,  Finland,  the  United 
States,  Iceland,  Canada,  and  France. 
Among  the  researchers  the  following 
languages  are  spoken:  Swedish,  Nor- 
wegian, Danish,  Icelandic,  Dutch, 
German,  French,  Italian,  Spanish, 
and  medieval  and  ancient  Latin. 

Genealogical  conventions  are  held 
in  every  stake  of  the  Church  once  a 
year  as  a  means  of  teaching  the  stake 
and  ward  genealogical  committee  how 
to  assist  the  members  of  the  wards 
in  performing  their  research  work, 
preparing  their  genealogical  records, 
and  beginning  their  temple  work. 

Textbooks  have  been  provided  for 
study  classes  in  the  wards.  Lesson 
courses  have  been  given  in  connec- 
tion with  the  Brigham  Young  Uni- 
versity, and  some  genealogical  in- 
struction has  been  given  by  radio  to 
many  people  who  have  followed  the 
programs  given  over  the  air. 

The  present  officers  of  The  Gene- 
alogical Society  of  the  Church  of 
Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints  are 
as  follows: 

Joseph  Fielding  Smith,  president 
and  treasurer;  Mark  E.  Petersen,  vice 
president;  Archibald  F.  Bennett,  sec- 
retary; L.  Garrett  Myers,  general  su- 
perintendent; with  other  members  of 
the  board  being:  A.  William  Lund, 
James  M.  Kirkham,  and  El  Ray  L. 
Christiansen. 

809 


Henry  D.  Moyle 

CHAIRMAN 


Harold  B.  Lee 

MANAGING  DIRECTOR 


Marion  G.  Romney 

ASST.    MANAGING    DIRECTOR 


Paul   C.   Child 


Welfare  in  the  Church 

by  Alfred  W.  Uhrhan 

SECRETARY,   GEN'L  CHURCH   WELFARE   FINANCE   COMMITTEE 


The  underlying  principles  of  the 
Church  Welfare  Program  of  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Lat- 
ter-day Saints  have  been  a  part  of 
the  gospel  since  the  beginning.  "In 
the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat 
bread,  till  thou  return  unto  the 
ground.  ..."  (Genesis  3:19.)  In  these 
words  the  Lord  gave  to  Adam  and 
Eve  as  they  left  the  Garden  of  Eden 
the  economic  law  of  independent  self- 
reliance  under  which  men  were  to 
live  out  their  lives  upon  the  earth. 

"But  if  any  provide  not  for  his  own, 
and  specially  for  those  of  his  own 
house,  he  hath  denied  the  faith,  and 
is  worse  than  an  infidel."  (I  Tim. 
5:8.)  In  these  words  the  Apostle 
Paul  outlined  the  responsibility  of 
each  family  head  for  the  care  of  his 
own.  The  fifth  commandment  (Exo- 
dus 20:12)  further  expands  this  re- 
sponsibility: "Honour  thy  father  and 
thy  mother.  .  .  ." 

"If  thou  wilt  be  perfect,  go  and 
sell  that  thou  hast,  and  give  to  the 
poor,  and  thou  shalt  have  treasure  in 
heaven:  and  come  and  follow  me." 
(Matthew  19:21.)  The  Master  here 
outlined  the  general  responsibility  we 
have  for  the  poor.  In  the  Doctrine 
and  Covenants  the  Lord  continues, 
"And  behold,  thou  wilt  remember  the 
poor.  .  .  . 

"And  inasmuch  as  ye  impart  of 
your  substance  unto  the  poor,  ye 
will  do  it  unto  me;  .  .  . 

810 


"Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  that  ye 
must  visit  the  poor  and  the  needy 
and  administer  to  their  relief.  .  .  ." 
(D  &  C  42:30-31;  44:6.) 

And  thus,  whenever  the  true 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  has  been  upon 
the  earth,  it  has  presented  a  program 
to  care  for  the  economic  welfare  of 
its  membership. 

Tn  1936  President  Heber  J.  Grant 
•*-  was  inspired  to  inaugurate  the 
program  we  now  know  as  the  Church 
welfare  plan. 

"Our  primary  purpose,"  said  the 
First  Presidency,  "was  to  set  up  in- 
sofar as  it  might  be  possible,  a  system 
under  which  the  curse  of  idleness 
would  be  done  away  with,  the  evils 
of  a  dole  abolished,  and  independence, 
industry,  thrift  and  self-respect  be 
once  more  established  amongst  our 
people.  The  aim  of  the  Church  is  to 
help  the  people  to  help  themselves. 
Work  is  to  be  re-enthroned  as  a  rul- 
ing principle  in  the  lives  of  our 
Church  membership." 

To  carry  out  the  detailed  adminis- 
trative work  of  such  a  comprehensive 
program,  the  First  Presidency  organ- 
ized a  general  Church  welfare  com- 
mittee to  assist  the  General  Authori- 
ties in  the  work  of  co-ordinating  and 
supervising  the  labors  of  the  regu- 
larly established  Chuch  organizations. 
Originally  this  was  a  five-man  com- 
mittee   consisting    of    Elders    Melvin 


J.  Ballard,  Harold  B.  Lee,  Mark  Aus- 
tin, Stringam  A.  Stevens,  and  Camp- 
bell M.  Brown.  The  Church  itself 
was  organized  into  thirteen  regions. 
Regional,  stake,  and  ward  welfare 
committees  were  organized,  and  the 
Church  began  the  tremendous  task 
of  taking  Church  members  from  pub- 
lic relief  rolls.  The  goals  were  to 
provide  these  members  with  work 
within  the  program  on  Church-spon- 
sored projects,  supply  food  and  cloth- 
ing through  bishops'  storehouses  and 
cash  needs  through  the  fast  offering 
fund,  and  ultimately  rehabilitate 
these  people  in  self-sustaining  em- 
ployment in  private  enterprise. 

About  six  weeks  after  the  an- 
nouncement of  the  welfare  plan  in 
April  1936,  remarkable  progress  be- 
came apparent  in  the  announcement 
that  212  farm,  industrial,  canning, 
and  sewing  projects  had  been  estab- 
lished. An  additional  238  projects 
were  ready  to  start  within  another 
few  weeks.  Fourteen  hundred  eighty- 
seven  acres  had  been  planted  to  gar- 
den crops.  Great  emphasis  was 
placed  upon  the  monthly  fast.  Two 
meals  were  to  be  abstained  from  the 
first  Sunday  of  each  month,  and  the 
money  saved  thereby  was  to  be  turned 
into  the  Church  as  a  fast  offering  to 
provide  for  the  cash  needs  of  the 
welfare  plan. 

The  newly  appointed  general 
Church  welfare  committee  had  made 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Mark  B.  Garff 


Leonard  E.  Adams 


J.  Leonard  Love 


Walter  Stover 


William  T.  Lawrence 


Lorenzo  H.  Hatch 


Walter  Dansie 


LeRoy  A.   Wirthlin 


great  progress  in  effecting  the  wel- 
fare plan  organization  at  regional, 
stake,  and  ward  levels  and  many 
employable  members  were  already 
being  placed  in  permanent  remunera- 
tive employment,  with  complete  eco- 
nomic rehabilitation  in  sight. 

/~\ne  of  the  work  projects  of  this 
^  early  period  was  the  construction 
of  the  main  building  now  located  on 
Welfare  Square.  Ground  was  broken 
for  this  project  in  June  1936.  Wel- 
fare workers  salvaged  from  the  dem- 
olition of  a  building  in  downtown 
Salt  Lake  City,  1,500,000  common 
pressed  bricks,  250,000  feet  of  lum- 
ber, 40,000  feet  of  flooring,  and  large 
quantities  of  glass,  doors,  electrical 
wire  and  plumbing.  Nearly  all  of 
the  work  on  this  tremendous  build- 
ing project  was  either  contributed  or 
accomplished  by  men  receiving  as- 
sistance from  the  welfare  plan. 

In  August  1938,  the  Church  wel- 
fare plan  adopted  the  now  famous 
Deseret    Industries    program    which 

NOVEMBER  1956 


over  the  years  has  put  hundreds  of 
people  to  work  at  productive  labor, 
taught  many  people  new  skills,  and 
channeled  hundreds  of  Church  mem- 
bers who  would  otherwise  have  been 
unemployed  into  private  industry, 
where  they  have  become  self-support- 
ing. Deseret  Industries  now  has  three 
major  processing  plants  and  many 
retail  stores.  Members  of  the  Church 
and  others  have  given  this  program 
excellent  co-operation  over  the  years 
— turning  in  used  clothing,  furniture, 
and  appliances  so  that  these  items 
could  be  repaired  or  rebuilt  for  sale 
or  use  in  the  bishop's  storehouse  pro- 
gram and  provide  employment  for 
hundreds  of  workers. 

In  1937  the  Deseret  Clothing  Fac- 
tory was  established  for  the  purpose 
of  manufacturing  LDS  garments  and 
providing  additional  opportunities  for 
many  of  our  people  who  were  unem- 
ployed. This  factory  now  provides 
the  welfare  plan  with  all  LDS  gar- 
ments needed  and  with  many  other 
knit  goods  in  addition  to  manufactur- 


ing LDS  garments  for  sale  to  Church 
members. 

In  February  1940  construction  be- 
gan on  the  huge  grain  elevators  at 
Welfare  Square.  This  was  a  marvel- 
ous testimony  to  the  inspiration  of 
the  welfare  plan  and  the  effectiveness 
of  its  organization.  The  elevators 
were  built  by  using  moving  forms  so 
that  one  could  literally  see  the  build- 
ing grow.  Men  and  equipment  were 
available  around  the  clock  for  eight 
and  one-half  days  until  the  project 
was  completed — a  monument  to  co- 
operation and  to  faith  and  devotion 
to  an  inspired  program.  The  tower 
rises  240  feet  from  the  ground  level, 
and  the  bins  provide  space  for  318,000 
bushels  of  grain. 

The  program  moved  very  early  to 
provide  its  own  facilities  to  can  and 
process  foods  required  by  needy 
Church  members.  In  March  1940,  a 
committee  of  experts  was  called  to 
contribute  of  their  time  and  knowl- 
edge to  supervise  these  activities.  At 
(Continued  on  page  852) 

811 


Richard  L.  Evans 
COMMENTATOR 


J.    Spencer    Cornwall 
CONDUCTOR 


Richard  P.  Condie 
ASST.  CONDUCTOR 


Lester  F.  Hewlett 
PRESIDENT 


The  Tabernacle  Choir 


1848 


1849 
1854 
1856 
1862 
1865 
1867 


1869 
1870 


1873 
1875 


1880 
1882 

1889 
1893 


1896 


1896 
1902 

812 


On  October  8  the  choir  sang  at  the  general  con- 
ference   of    the    Church    held    in    the    Bowery. 
(Journal  History  of  the  Church.)     The  nucleus 
of  this  choir  came  across  the  plains  in  an  organ- 
ized form  in    1847  with  the  first   pioneer  com- 
panies. (See  Col.  Kane's  Diary.) 
John  Parry  was  appointed  director  of  choir. 
Stephen  Goddard  was  appointed  director. 
James  Smithies  was  director. 
Charles  John  Thomas  was  director. 
Robert  Sands  was  director. 

Organ  sufficiently  completed  to  use  for  October 
general  conference  in  present  Tabernacle.  The 
choir  sang  at.  this  conference,  accompanied  by  the 
organ. 

George  Careless  director  until  1880. 
Membership  of  choir  increased  to  one  hundred 
voices  by  Director  George  Careless  and  became 
known  as  Salt  Lake  Tabernacle  choir. 
First  public  appearance  of  choir  in  concert  out- 
side of  Church  services  on  July  4. 
Choir  participated  with  others  in  a  performance 
of  The  Messiah   (June).     Beginning  of  oratorio 
presentation  in  Salt  Lake  City. 
Ebenezer  Beesley  was  appointed  director. 
Choir  gave  a  concert  for  the  benefit  of  Deseret 
Hospital. 

Evan  Stephens  appointed  director. 
Choir  left  Salt  Lake  City  for  the  Columbian  Exr 
position  at  Chicago,  where  they  took  second  prize. 
Gave  concerts  en  route.    Evan  Stephens,  director. 
Choir    toured    northern    California    cities,    giving 
concerts   at   Oakland,    April    14;    San   Francisco, 
April  15,  16,  17,  18,  and  a  sacred  concert  Sunday, 
April   19;  San  Jose,  April  20;  Sacramento,  April 
21.  (Locations:  Oakland,  Congregational  Church; 
San  Francisco,  Metropolitan  Hall;  San  Jose,  Audi- 
torium; Sacramento,  Congregational  Church.) 
(August)     Went  to  Denver  Eisteddfod.- 
Toured  California  cities,  giving  concerts  in  San 
Francisco,  Sacramento,  Palo  Alto. 


1908  (Approximately)  to  1938  David  A.  Smith  served 
as  choir  president. 

1909  Toured  Northwest,  giving  concerts  in  La  Grande, 
Oregon,  and  Seattle,  Washington. 

1911  Choir  was  engaged  to  sing  at  Madison  Square 
Garden  in  New  York  City  for  two  appearances 
daily  for  ten  days,  November  3  to  12.  Left  Salt 
Lake  City  October  23,  returned  November  26, 
having  traveled  5,500  miles  and  sung  fifty  concerts, 
including  one  at  the  White  House  for  President 
and  Mrs.  William  Howard  Taft. 

1916     Anthony  C.  Lund  appointed  director. 

1924  Alexander  Schreiner  became  Tabernacle  organist 
April  8,  1924.  Frank  W.  Asper  also  was  appointed 
Tabernacle  organist  April  27,  1924.  (Other  organ- 
ists and  assistants  during  the  long  history  of  the 
choir  have  included  Joseph  J.  Daynes,  John  J. 
McClellan,  Edward  P.  Kimball,  Tracy  Y.  Cannon, 
and  others.) 

1926  Choir  traveled  to  San  Francisco,  Sacramento,  Oak- 
land, south  to  Los  Angeles,  giving  a  concert  in 


The  Salt  Lake  Tabernacle 
Choir 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Alexander   Schreiner 
ORGANIST 


Frank  W.  Asper 
ORGANIST 


the   Hollywood  Bowl,   and  at  San   Diego,   then 
traveled  to  Pomona,  and  back  to  San  Francisco. 

1929  First  radio  broadcast  Monday  afternoon,  July  15, 
1929.     Anthony  C.  Lund  directed  the  first  broad- 
cast; Edward  P.   Kimball  was  the  organist;   and         1938 
Ted  Kimball  announced  the  program,  succeeded 

by  Roscoe  Grover  and  others. 

1930  Richard  L.  Evans  became  commentator  on  the        lQ3g 
Tabernacle  choir  broadcast  in  June. 

1932     In  August  1932,  when  KSL  became  a  50,000  watt        /930 
outlet  and  joined  the  Columbia  network,  it  was 
decided   that   the  broadcast  would   go   with  the        JQ3Q 
station  and  become  a  CBS  feature. 

1934  At  the  invitation  of  Henry  Ford,  the  choir  pre-         1940 
sented  a  series  of  concerts  for  one  week,  Septem- 
ber 10  to  16  at  the  Century  of  Progress  Exposition, 
Chicago.    Concerts  were  given  twice  daily.    Choir 

also  gave  a  concert  at  Denver  en  route  home. 

1935  Choir  gave  fourteen  concerts  at  the  California- 
Pacific  International  Exposition  at  San  Diego  on 
invitation  of  the  Ford  Motor  Company,  and  also 
gave  a  concert  at  Iriglewood  Bowl.  J.  Spencer 
Cornwall,  present  director,  was  appointed.  1941 

1936  Choir  sang  with  the  Philadelphia  Symphony  Or- 
chestra under  the  direction  of  Leopold  Stokowski, 
May  5,  Salt  Lake  Tabernacle. 

1937  Regular  Sunday  program   broadcasted   from  the 


Roy  M.  Darley 
ASS'T.  ORGANIST 

base  of  the  Great  White  Throne,  Zion  National 
Park,  on  Memorial  Day,  May  30.  Guests  of  the 
Union  Pacific  Railroad.  It  snowed  in  the  park 
that  day. 

As  a  feature  of  the  October  conference,  dramatized 
performance  of  Elijah  with  Mr.  Rollin  Pease, 
baritone. 

Lester  F.  Hewlett  became  president  of  Tabernacle 
choir  February  26. 

Choir  appeared  in  concert  at  Sun  Valley  as  guests 
of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad. 
Elijah  again  presented  at  October  conference  in 
dramatic  form. 

Music  of  the  Tabernacle  choir  and  organ  was  fea- 
tured, along  with  Leopold  Stokowski  and  the 
Philadelphia  Symphony  Orchestra,  Paul  Robeson, 
baritone,  and  Walter  Armitage,  in  a  demonstra- 
tion of  stereophonic  reproduction  of  sound,  pre- 
sented by  the  Bell  Telephone  Laboratories  at 
Carnegie  Hall,  New  York  City.  The  music  had 
been  recorded  at  Salt  Lake  City  by  Dr.  Harvey 
Fletcher. 

Dramatized  version  of  St.  Paul  (Mendelssohn) 
presented  as  a  feature  of  the  April  general  con- 
ference. Concerts  in  the  Hollywood  Bowl  August 
20,  and  San  Francisco  Civic  Auditorium  August  21. 

(Concluded  on  page  861) 


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NOVEMBER  1956 


813 


The  Music  Committee 

by  Tracy  Y.  Cannon 

EXECUTIVE  CHAIRMAN 


Three  months  after  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Church   a   revelation 
was  given  through  Joseph  Smith 
directing  Emma  Smith  to 

.  .  .  make  a  selection  of  sacred  hymns,  as 
it  shall  be  given  thee,  which  is  pleasing 
unto  me,  to   be  had  in  my  church; 

For  my  soul  delighteth  in  the  song  of 
the  heart;  yea,  the  song  of  the  righteous  is 
a  prayer  unto  me,  and  it  shall  be  answered 
with  a  blessing  upon  their  heads.  (D  &  C 
25:11-12.) 

According  to  this  revelation  a  selec- 
tion of  hymns  was  made  and  pub- 
lished in  Kirtland,  in  1835.  From  that 
time  on  music  has  been  an  important 
part  of  our  Church  program. 

Realizing  the  need  of  direction  in 
developing  the  music  potential  of  the 
Church  and  keeping  it  in  harmony 
with  the  principles  of  the  restored 
gospel,  the  First  Presidency  organized 
the  general  music  committee,  with 
Elder  Melvin  J.  Ballard  as  chairman 
and  the  following  members:  Anthony 
C.  Lund,  B.  Cecil  Gates,  John  J. 
McClellan,  Edward  P.  Kimball,  Tracy 


Y.  Cannon,  Evan  Stephens,  George 
D.  Pyper,  Horace  G.  Whitney,  Lizzie 
Thomas  Edwards,  Joseph  Ballantyne, 
Margaret  Summerhays,  and  Jane  R. 
Crawford. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  this  com- 
mittee, held  September  28,  1920,  the 
following  excerpt  from  a  letter  from 
the  First  Presidency  was  read: 

Trusting  you  will  have  great  success  in 
developing  the  music  forces  of  the  Church 
and  in  carrying  forward  the  organization  of 
music  committees  in  the  wards  and  stakes 
as  contemplated,  we  are,  your  brethren, 

Heber  J.  Grant 
Anthon  H.  Lund 
Charles  W.  Penrose 

After  the  death  of  Elder  Ballard, 
the  writer  of  this  article  was  ap- 
pointed chairman  of  the  general 
music  committee,  and  he  has  served 
as  chairman  and  then  as  executive 
chairman  to  the  present  time,  with 
Elders  Harold  B.  Lee,  Spencer  W. 
Kimball,  and  Mark  E.  Petersen  of 
the    Council   of  Twelve    as    advisers: 


Tracy  Y.  Cannon 

Frank  W.  Asper,  J.  Spencer  Cornwall, 
N.  Lorenzo  Mitchell,  Alexander 
Schreiner,  and  Leroy  J.  Robertson  as 
members  of  the  executive  commit- 
tee; and  as  members  at  large,  one 
representative  from  each  of  the  aux- 
iliary general  boards.  Carol  H.  Can- 
non is  secretary  of  the  committee, 
and  William  M.  Foxley  is  the  com- 
mittee's fixed  representative. 

In  carrying  forward  its  assignment 
to  develop  the  music  forces  of  the 
Church,  the  general  music  committee 
set  up  the  following  objectives:  (1) 
correlation  of  the  music  program  of 
the  Church,  (2)  advancement  of  con- 
gregational singing,  (3)  recommenda- 
(Continued  on  page  854) 


GENERAL  MUSIC 
COMMITTEE 

Left  to  right:  J.  Spen- 
cer Cornwall,  Alexander 
Schreiner,  Carol  H.  Can- 
non, LeRoy  J.  Robertson, 
Frank  W.  Asper,  and  Les- 
ter F.  Hewlett.  Seated, 
Tracy  Y.  Cannon. 


814 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Profiles 


of  the  General  Authorities 

of  the  Church 


THE  FIRST  PRESIDENCY 

DAVID    OMAN    McKAY,    born    September 

8,  1873,  at  Huntsville,  Utah.  Missions: 
Great  Britain  (Scotland),  August  1897-Sep- 
tember  1899;  president,  European  Mission, 
November  1922  to  December  1924.  Sus- 
tained as  a  member  of  the  Council  of  the 
Twelve,  April  8,  1906;  ordained  an  apostle 
April  9,  1906,  by  President  Joseph  F.  Smith. 
Appointed  to  the  general  board  of  the 
Deseret  Sunday  School  Union,  1906;  sus- 
tained as  second  assistant  superintendent 
of  the  Deseret  Sunday  School  Union,  Octo- 
ber 6,  1906;  sustained  as  first  assistant  super- 
intendent in  the  Deseret  Sunday  School 
Union,  April  4,  1909;  sustained  as  general 
superintendent,  Deseret  Sunday  School 
Union,  November  27,  1918.  Sustained  as 
Second  Counselor  in  the  First  Presidency 
October  6,  1934,  and  set  apart  October  11, 
1934,  by  President  Heber  J.  Grant;  sustained 
as  Second  Counselor  in  the  First  Presidency 
May  21,  1945,  and  set  apart  that  day  by 
President  George  Albert  Smith.  Sustained 
as  President  of  the  Church  April  9,  1951, 
and  set  apart  April  12,  1951,  by  the  Council 
of  the  Twelve,  President  Joseph  Fielding 
Smith  being  voice.  President  McKay  dedi- 
cated the  Swiss  Temple  September  11,  1955, 
and  the  Los  Angeles  Temple,  March  11, 
1956. 

STEPHEN  L  RICHARDS,  born  June  18, 
1879,  at  Mendon,  Utah.  Member,  general 
board  of  Deseret  Sunday  School  Union, 
1906;  sustained  as  second  assistant  general 
superintendent,  Deseret  Sunday  School 
Union,  April  4,  1909;  ordained  an  apostle 
by  President  Joseph  F.  Smith,  January  17, 
1917;  sustained  first  assistant  general  super- 
intendent of  the  Deseret  Sunday  School 
Union  November  27,  1918;  sustained  as 
First  Counselor  in  the  First  Presidency  April 

9,  1951;  set  apart  April  12,  1951,  by  Presi- 
dent David  O.  McKay. 

JOSHUA  REUBEN  CLARK,  JR.,  born 
September  1,  1871,  at  Grantsville,  Utah.  Sus- 
tained as  Second  Counselor  in  the  First 
Presidency  April  6,  1933,  and  set  apart 
April  7,  1933,  by  President  Heber  J.  Grant. 
Sustained  a  member  of  the  Council  of  the 
Twelve,  and  then  First  Counselor  in  the 
First  Presidency,  October  6,  1934;  ordained 
an  apostle  and  set  apart  as  First  Counselor 
October  11,  1934,  by  President  Heber  J. 
Grant.  Sustained  as  First  Counselor  in  the 
First  Presidency  May  21,  1945,  and  set  apart 
that  day  by  President  George  Albert  Smith. 
Sustained  as  Second  Counselor  in  the  First 
Presidency  April  9,  1951,  and  set  apart 
April  12,  1951,  by  President  David  O. 
McKay. 

THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  TWELVE 

JOSEPH  FIELDING  SMITH,  born  July  19, 
1876,  at  Salt  Lake  City.  Mission:  May 
1899-June  1901,  Great  Britain;  1901-10,  home 
missionary,  Salt  Lake  Stake;  member 
YMMIA  general  board,  1903-1909;  appointed 
secretary  and  director,  Genealogical  Society, 
1907;  assistant  Church  historian,  April  1906; 
appointed  to  general  board  of  Religion 
Classes,  1909.  Sustained  as  a  member  of 
the  Council  of  the  Twelve  April  6,  1910; 
ordained  an  apostle,  April  7,  1910,  by  Presi- 
dent Joseph  F.  Smith.  Sustained  as  Church 
historian,  1921.  President  of  Genealogical 
Society,  1934;  president  of  Salt  Lake  Temple, 
June  1945-51;  sustained  as  President  of  the 

NOVEMBER  1956 


Council  of  the  Twelve  April  9,  1951;  set 
apart  April  12,  1951,  by  President  David  O. 
McKay. 

HAROLD  BINGHAM  LEE,  born  March 
28,  1899,  at  Clifton,  Idaho.  Mission:  West- 
ern States,  November  1920-December  1922; 
president  Pioneer  (Salt  Lake  City)  Stake, 
October  1930;  managing  director  of  Church 
welfare  program  since  January  1937;  sus- 
tained as  a  member  of  the  Council  of  the 
Twelve  April  6,  1941;  ordained  an  apostle, 
April  10,  1941,  by  President  Heber  J.  Grant. 

SPENCER  WOOLLEY  KIMBALL,  born 
March  28,  1895,  at  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah. 
Mission:  Central  States,  October  1914  to 
January  1917.  President  Mt.  Graham  (Ari- 
zona) Stake,  February  1938;  sustained  as  a 
member  of  the  Council  of  the  Twelve  Octo- 
ber 1,  1943;  ordained  an  apostle,  October  7, 
1943,  by  President  Heber  J.  Grant. 

EZRA  TAFT  BENSON,  born  August  4, 
1899,  Whitney,  Idaho.  Mission:  Great 
Britain,  July  15,  1921,  to  November  2,  1923; 
president  of  European  Mission,  February 
1946  to  December  1946;  president  Boise 
Stake,  December  27,  1938;  president  Wash- 
ington (D.  C.)  Stake,  June  30,  1940;  sus- 
tained as  a  member  of  the  Council  of  the 
Twelve  October  1,  1943;  ordained  an  apostle, 
October  7,  1943,  by  President  Heber  J.  Grant. 

MARK  EDWARD  PETERSEN,  born  No- 
vember 7,  1900,  at  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah. 
Mission:  Canada,  January  13,  1920,  to  July 
7,  1922;  director,  Genealogical  Society,  Octo- 
ber 9,  1934;  member,  general  board,  Sunday 
School,  1943.  Sustained  as  a  member  of 
the  Council  of  the  Twelve  April  6,  1944; 
ordained  an  apostle,  April  20,  1944,  by 
President  Heber  J.  Grant.  Vice  President 
Genealogical  Society,  December  9,  1953. 

HENRY  DINWOODEY  MOYLE,  born 
April  22,  1889,  at  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah. 
Mission  to  Switzerland  and  Germany,  1909 
to  1912;  president  of  Cottonwood  (Utah) 
Stake,  November  21,  1927;  chairman,  Church 
welfare  program  December  1937.  Sustained 
as  a  member  of  the  Council  of  the  Twelve, 
April  1947,  ordained  an  apostle  by  Presi- 
dent  George  Albert  Smith,  April   10,    1947. 

DELBERT  LEON  STAPLEY,  born  Decem- 
ber 11,  1896,  at  Mesa,  Arizona.  Mission: 
Southern  States,  April  9,  1915,  to  July  4, 
1917.  President  Phoenix  (Arizona)  Stake 
December  7,  1941;  chairman  Arizona  region 
Church  welfare.  Sustained  as  member  of 
the  Council  of  the  Twelve  October  1950; 
ordained  an  apostle,  October  5,  1950,  by 
President  George  Albert  Smith. 

MARION  GEORGE  ROMNEY,  born  Sep- 
tember 19,  1897,  at  Colonia  Juarez,  Chihua- 
hua, Mexico.  Mission:  Austraila,  1920-1923; 
bishop,  Salt  Lake  City  Thirty-third  Ward, 
1935-38;  president  of  Bonneville  (Salt  Lake 
City)  Stake,  1938;  sustained  as  an  Assistant 
to  the  Council  of  the  Twelve,  April  6,  1941; 
set  apart,  May  21,  1941,  by  Heber  J.  Grant; 
assistant  managing  director  of  Church  wel- 
fare plan;  sustained  as  a  member  of  the 
Council  of  the  Twelve  October  6,  1951;  or- 
dained an  apostle,  October  11,  1951,  by 
President  David  O.  McKay. 

LeGRAND  RICHARDS,  born  February  6, 
1886,  at  Farmington,  Utah.  Missions: 
Netherlands    Mission,    April     15,     1905,    to 


February  12,  1908;  president,  Netherlands 
Mission,  set  apart  November  7,  1913,  re- 
turned July  10,  1916;  president,  Eastern 
States  Mission  (short-term),  January  1926 
to  July  1926;  president,  Southern  States  Mis- 
sion, set  apart  December  29,  1933,  returned 
June  23,  1937.  Bishop,  Sugarhouse  Ward 
(Salt  Lake  City),  June  1919;  bishop  of 
Glendale  (California)  Ward,  July  1930; 
president  Hollywood  (California)  Stake, 
April  1931.  Sustained  as  Presiding  Bishop, 
April  6,  1938;  set  apart  April  14,  1938,  by 
President  Heber  J.  Grant.  Sustained  as  a 
member  of  the  Council  of  the  Twelve,  April 
6,  1952.  Ordained  an  apostle,  April  10, 
1952,  by  President  David  O.  McKay. 

ADAM  SAMUEL  BENNION,  born  Decem- 
ber 2,  1886,  Taylorsville,  Utah.  No  formal 
mission  call  but  active  in  New  York  1911- 
12,  Chicago  1916,  Berkeley  1922-23.  Mem- 
ber, general  board  of  Sunday  Schools,  1915- 
1953;  superintendent  of  Church  schools, 
1919-27;  sustained  member  of  the  Council 
of  the  Twelve,  April  6,  1953;  ordained  an 
apostle,  April  9,  1953,  by  President  David 
O.  McKay. 

RICHARD  LOUIS  EVANS,  born  March  23, 

1906,  at  Salt  Lake  City.  Mission:  British 
and  European;  departed  November  5,  1926, 
returned  September  1,  1929.  Has  served  as 
"radio  voice"  of  the  Crossroads  of  the  West 
(Salt  Lake  Tabernacle  choir  and  organ 
program)  since  June  1930.  Member  YMMIA 
general  board,  April  1935-1948;  sustained  as 
a  member  of  the  First  Council  of  the  Seventy 
October  7,  1938,  and  set  apart,  October  13, 
1938,  by  President  Heber  J.  Grant;  director, 
Bureau  of  Information  on  Temple  Square, 
1947.  Sustained  as  a  member  of  the  Coun- 
cil of  the  Twelve  October  4,  1953;  ordained 
an  apostle,  October  8,  1953,  by  President 
David  O.  McKay. 

GEORGE  QUAYLE  MORRIS,  born  Febru- 
ary 20,  1874,  at  Salt  Lake  City.  Missions: 
British,  1899-1902;  president,  Eastern  States, 
1948-1952.  Bishop,  Salt  Lake  City  Four- 
teenth Ward,  1914-24,  member  YMMIA 
general  board,  1924-48;  YMMIA  general 
superintendent  October  1937-October  1948. 
Sustained  as  Assistant  to  the  Council 
of  the  Twelve  October  5,  1951;  set  apart, 
October  24,  1951,  by  President  David  O. 
McKay.  Sustained  as  a  member  of  the 
Council  of  the  Twelve  April  6,  1954;  or- 
dained an  apostle,  April  8,  1954,  by  Presi- 
dent David  O.  McKay. 

PATRIARCH  TO  THE  CHURCH 

ELDRED    GEE    SMITH,    born    January  9, 

1907,  at  Lehi,  Utah.  Mission:  German, 
October  1926-June  1929.  Stake  mission, 
Liberty  (Salt  Lake  City)  Stake.  Bishop, 
Salt  Lake  City  Twentieth  Ward  and  later 
Salt  Lake  City  North  Twentieth  Ward;  sus- 
tained as  Patriarch  to  the  Church  April  6, 
1947;  ordained  and  set  apart  April  10,  1947, 
by  President  George  Albert  Smith. 

ASSISTANTS  TO  THE  COUNCIL  OF 
THE   TWELVE 

THOMAS  EVANS  McKAY,  born  October 
29,  1875,  at  Huntsville,  Utah.  Missions: 
Great  Britain  (but  once  in  Europe  he  was 
reassigned  to  labor  with  the  German  peo- 
ple) August  1900-September  1903;  Swiss- 
German,  January  1909-1911;  president  Swiss- 
German  Mission,  July  1937-April  1940. 
*  (Continued  on  page  878) 

815 


The  road  had  been  long  for  Mary. 
But  now  at  last  she  and  her  hus- 
band Joseph  were  nearing  their 
destination — the  little  town  of  Bethle- 
hem, high  in  the  Judean  hills.  From 
their  home  in  Nazareth  of  Galilee, 
about  87  miles  to  the  north,  they  had 
come  because  of  an  order  of  the 
Roman  emperor,  Caesar  Augustus, 
"that  all  the  world  should  be  taxed."1 
It  may  seem  strange  to  us  that  a 
carpenter  from  a  village  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  this  country  of  Palestine 
should  be  required  to  travel  so  far  to 
meet  this  obligation,  but  such  was  the 
Roman  decree.  Following  Jewish 
custom,  each  individual  was  to  go 
"into  his  own  city,"  or  the  place 
where  his  family  originated.  His- 
torians generally  agree  that  this  "tax- 
ing"  was   a   registration  or   "signing 

XA11    the    quotations    in    this    article    are    from    Luke, 
Chapters    1    and    2,    and    from    Matthew,    Chapter    1. 

816 


— From  a  painting   by   Carlo  Maratta 

up"  for  the  purpose  of  future  taxa- 
tion. The  ancestors  of  both  Joseph 
and  Mary  lived  in  Bethlehem.  Both 
of  them  were  descendants  of  the  great 
king  David. 

The  long  journey  from  Nazareth  to 
Bethlehem  in  those  days  was  hard 
enough  for  a  person  in  good  condi- 
tion to  travel.  But  for  a  young 
woman  who  was  about  to  become  a 
mother,  it  must  have  been  difficult 
indeed.  Ordinarily  the  trip  would 
have  taken  three  or  four  long  days, 
but  Mary  and  Joseph  probably  moved 
more  slowly  than  the  other  journeyers. 
Traveling  by  those  of  humble  circum- 
stances was  nearly  always  by  foot, 
although  donkeys  were  owned  by 
some  of  the  more  fortunate.  Camels 
and  horses  were  in  wide  use  by  armies 
and  by  men  of  means,  but  it  is  not 
likely  that  the  carpenter  of  Nazareth 


the 

Christ 

Child 

is 

Born! 


by  Doyle  L.  Green 

MANAGING  EDITOR 


could    have    afforded    such    a    great 
luxury  for  his  young  wife. 

This  road  from  Galilee  to  Judea 
was  crowded  with  memories  for  Mary. 
She  had  made  a  similar  trip  about 
nine  months  before  to  visit  her  cousin, 
Elisabeth.  The  great  secret  that 
Mary  carried  in  her  heart  then  was 
almost  more  than  she  could  contain. 
And  how  happy  she  was  when  she 
reached  her  cousin's  house  and  told 
her  the  wondrous  news! 

How  could  it  be  that  she,  a  hum- 
ble Jewish  girl,  was  favored  above  all 
the  other  women  who  had  ever  lived 
upon  the  earth?  She,  Mary,  was  to 
be  the  mother  of  the  Son  of  God! 
True,  the  Jews  had  long  expected  the 
coming  of  a  great  king  and  prophet 
among  them,  and  Jewish  girls  were 
taught  that  they  should  live  so  as  to 
be  worthy  to  be  the  mother  of  the 
THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


MIA  READING  COURSE:  JESUS  THE  CHRIST-V 


Messiah.  Prophets  had  also  said  that 
he  would  be  a  descendant  of  David, 
as  was  Mary.  In  spite  of  all  this  it 
still  did  not  seem  possible  that  she 
really  could  be  the  chosen  one. 

She  was  probably  very  young,  per- 
haps still  in  her  teens.  And  she  was 
from  a  family  of  humble  circum- 
stances, living  in  an  obscure  village. 
Their  home,  if  typical  of  the  country 
and  times,  was  a  low,  square  building 
divided  into  two  sections — one  side 
for  the  family  and  the  other  for  the 
cattle. 

But  it  was  true:  the  angel  Gabriel 
himself  had  come  to  her  with  glorious 
news,  saying,  "Hail,  thou  that  art 
highly  favoured,  the  Lord  is  with 
thee:  blessed  art  thou  among  women." 

Naturally  Mary  was  startled  and 
perhaps  even  frightened  by  the  ap- 
pearance of  this  messenger,  and  she 
must  have  marveled  at  his  words.  To 
put  her  at  ease  the  angel  said:  "Fear 
not,  Mary:  for  thou  hast  found  favour 
with  God." 


Then  came  the  wondrous  an- 
nouncement: "And,  behold,  thou 
shalt  conceive  in  thy  womb,  and  bring 
forth  a  son,  and  shalt  call  his  name 
Jesus. 

"He  shall  be  great,  and  shall  be 
called  the  Son  of  the  Highest:  and 
the  Lord  God  shall  give  unto  him 
the  throne  of  his  father  David: 

"And  he  shall  reign  over  the  house 
of  Jacob  for  ever;  and  of  his  kingdom 
there  shall  be  no  end." 

Now  although  Mary  was  "es- 
poused" to  Joseph,  or  in  other  words 
had  taken  vows  to  be  his  wife,  still 
she  was  not  married.  How,  she  asked 
the  angel,  could  this  thing  be. 

Answering,  the  angel  said: 
"The  Holy  Ghost  shall  come  upon 
thee,  and  the  power  of  the  Highest 
shall  overshadow  thee:  therefore  also 
that  holy  thing  that  shall  be  born  of 
thee  shall  be  called  the  Son  of  God." 

Then  Gabriel  told  Mary  that  her 
cousin   Elisabeth  was    also   going   to 


have  a  son.  This  in  itself  was  a 
miraculous  thing. 

Elisabeth  had  been  married  for 
many  years  and  had  never  borne  a 
child,  and  now  she  was  "old,"  past 
the  time  when  women  give  birth  to 
children.  The  angel  reminded  the 
wondering  Mary  that  with  God  noth- 
ing is  impossible. 

The  angel  awaited  a  response  from 
the  maiden.  She  surely  knew  that 
there  would  be  problems  and  com- 
plications. Faithfulness  to  one's 
betrothed  was  a  strict  requirement. 
Unfaithfulness  was  sometimes  pun- 
ishable by  death. 

Mary's  answer  placed  her  complete- 
ly in  God's  hands.  With  unwavering 
faith  and  devotion  she  said,  sim- 
ply, "Behold  the  handmaid  of  the 
Lord;  be  it  unto  me  according  to  thy 
word." 

With  this  great  secret  in  her  heart 
she  hastened  to  visit  her  cousin.  Just 
where  in  Judea  Elisabeth  and  her  hus- 
band, Zacharias,  lived  we  do  not 
know,  although  many  suppose  it  was 
(Continued  on  page  834) 


"THE  ARRIVAL  OF  THE  SHEPHERDS"  by  Henry  LeRolle 

"And  she  brought  forth  her  firstborn  son,  and  wrapped  him 
in  swaddling  clothes,  and  laid  him  in  a  manger;  because  there 
was  no  room  for  them  in  the  inn."  (Luke  2:7.) 


*£!*£& 


817 


There  Were  Jaredrfes 


by  Dr.  Hugh  Nibley 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG  UNIVERSITY 


"OUR  OWN  PEOPLE" 

Of  all  the  epic  cultures  the  three 
friends  considered  in  their  long 
book-filled  discussions,  the  most 
involved  and  interesting  were  those 
having  to  do  with  our  own  ancestors. 
True,  their  records  do  not  go  back  to 
the  third  and  fourth  millennia  B.C.; 
yet  they  are  closely  related  in  race 
and  language  to  people  whose  records 
do  go  back  that  far;  for  example,  the 
Hittites  and  Hurrians  seem  to  be  most 
closely  related  to  the  Celts,  whose 
truly  epic  civilization  and  heroic  lit- 
erature Chadwick  has  examined  at 
length. 

That  scholar,  however,  is  interested 
in  giving  us  only  the  evidence  found 
in  the  Celtic  writings;  a  thousand 
years  earlier  classical  writers  describe 
the  same  Celtic  heroic  culture  in  far 
more  clear  and  objective  terms.  One 
needs  only  recall  the  once  familiar 
pictures  from  Caesar's  Gallic  Wars: 
Here  we  find  great  nations  on  the 
move,  princely  messengers  of  great 
houses  constantly  coming  and  going 
with  propositions  and  challenges;  be- 
trayals, plots,  coalitions,  and  conjura- 
tions are  the  order  of  the  c^ay;  vast 
masses  of  humanity  with  all  their 
furniture  and  arms  piled  on  lumber- 
ing wagons  pour  through  the  passes 
of  the  mountains  and  inundate  the 
plains. 

For  the  classical  writers  the  Celts 
are  the  people  who  are  constantly 
moving  about  in  their  painted  wag- 
ons. In  prehistoric  times  the  Latin 
language  borrowed  from  the  Celts  a 
vocabulary  "drawn  chiefly  from  the 
following  semantic  categories:  riding, 
driving,  warfare,  clothing,  and  social 
hierarchy:  common  Roman  words  for 
serf,  and  our  own  word  ambassador 
(Ger.  Amt:  official  office)  are  taken 
from  the  Celts."1  It  was  strictly  a 
heroic  vocabulary.  The  greatest  of 
all  Celtic  heroes,  King  Arthur,  built 
up  his  body  of  knightly  followers  by 
gifts  and  grants,  and  "was  so  prodigal 
of  his  bounties  that  he  began  to  run 
short  of  things  to  distribute  among 
the  huge  multitude  of  knights  that 
came  to  him."2 

818 


At  least  a  century  before  Arthur, 
a  classical  writer  recounts  an  ancient 
tale  of  how  one  hero  rode  among  all 
the  tribes  of  Gaul  scattering  gifts  with 
such  lavish  hand  that  people  followed 
his  wagon  everywhere  and  elected 
him  king  of  all  the  tribes.3  Since 
generosity  had  to  unite  with  prowess 
in  war  and  noble  blood  to  make  kings, 
it  is  not  surprising  that  the  Celtic 
mythological  cycles  are  full  of  hor- 
rible deeds  of  bloodshed  and  intrigues 
among  the  great  houses.  The  most 
interesting  thing  about  these  cycles 
is  the  way  each  great  house  or  nation 
is  completely  exterminated — with  the 
exception  of  one  survivor — by  the 
next  great  house  or  nation,  and  so  on. 
One  of  these  lone  survivors  wandered 
through  the  world  for  fifty  years,  liv- 
ing on  memories,  "as  in  a  fever 
dream."4  These  wars  of  extermina- 
tion were  carried  out  with  ritual 
formality. 

Thus  when  the  Tuatha  De  Danaan 
refused  to  halve  all  Ireland  with  the 
Fir  Bolg,  their  hero  formally  chal- 
lenged the  strongest  of  the  Fir  Bolg 
to  meet  him  in  single  combat,  while 
the  two  armies  met  at  Mag  Tured 
and  agreed  to  spend  one  hundred 
days  preparing  for  battle.  For  the 
battle  "it  was  agreed  that  there 
should  be  no  general  engagement  but 
that  an  equal  number  of  warriors 
should  go  out  and  fight  each  day!"5 
Among  all  the  Celts  we  meet  the 
story  of  the  two  brothers  who  fight  a 
duel  in  which  the  winner  becomes 
sole  ruler  of  the  land.  The  king-hero 
of  the  Celts  is  a  "curious  mixture  of 
cruelty  and  paternity."6 

A  good  king  would  "do  what  the 
men  of  Byrgwin  held  best,  giving  of 
food  and  drink  to  everyone  who 
came  .  .  ."  while  a  bad  king  "makes 
a  progress  Vound  Ireland,  demanding 
the  wives  and  treasures  of  his  hosts," 
who  are  honor  bound  to  receive  him 
since,  like  Arthur's  knights,  they 
have  all  taken  mighty  oaths  to  the 
king.7  We  have  the  picture  from 
Joinville  of  St.  Louis  as  king,  going 
about  from  place  to  place  in  royal 
progress  and  sitting  under  the  oak,  at 
which   time   anyone  could   approach 


him  as  he  righted  wrongs  and 
chastened  the  wicked.8  As  in  other 
heroic  societies,  the  queen  was  in- 
dependent and  had  her  own  palace, 
which  exactly  paralleled  the  king's 
in  all  its  appointments  and  arrange- 
ments.9 

In  numerous  legends  that  tell  how 
successive  waves  of  invaders  come  to 
the  islands,  the  invaders  are  always 
described  as  coming  from  the  Great 
Plain  to  the  East,  the  Land  of  the 
Living,  and  laying  oppressive  tribute 
on  the  inhabitants  of  the  lands — the 
descendants  of  earlier  invaders,  de- 
manding a  tribute  of  everything  in- 
cluding children,  to  be  paid  on  the 
night  of  Samhain  feast:  two-thirds  of 
all  their  produce  had  to  be  carried 
yearly  to  Mag  Cetne,  the  great  shrine 
at  the  exact  center  of  the  earth."10 
The  king  "gave  privilege  of  refuge, 
i.e.,  sanctuary,  to  the  roads  .  .  .  lead- 
ing to  the  cities  and  temples,"  and 
especially  to  the  royal  person,  as  in 
Persia.11  In  legend  the  royal  estab- 
lishment is  described  as  a  great  and 
fabulous  tower  that  has  contact  with 
the  other  world.1-  The  great  Merlin 
describes  the  taking  over  of  the  land 
in  terms  that  might  have  been  taken 
right  out  of  the  Pyramid  Texts,  when 
he  tells  how  under  "the  favor  of  the 
Thunderer  .  .  .  the  seats  of  the  blessed 
shall  be  renewed  throughout  the 
lands,  and  shepherds  shall  be  set  in 
places  befitting."13 

It  all  seems  to  be  right  out  of  the 
Egyptian  or  Babylonian  epics,  and 
indeed  scholars  have  long  since  and 
often  pointed  out  the  extremely  close 
resemblances  between  the  Celtic  epic 
literature,  especially  the  Grail  saga, 
and  the  Babylonian  and  Egyptian 
legends  and  rituals.14 

W/ho  AS  A  child  has  not  stood  be- 
"  tween  two  mirrors  and  seen  his 
image  repeated  with  perfect  accuracy 
but  diminishing  brightness  into  green 
and  mysterious  depths  where  "noth- 
ing is  but  what  is  not"?  The  eerie 
and  disturbing  quality  of  such  an 
experience  is  the  nearest  thing  to  what 
one  feels  in  reading  the  Germanic 
epics    and    the    Norse   sagas.      Most 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


sagas  of  the  North  must  be  inter- 
preted on  a  number  of  different  time 
levels  at  once.  The  minstrels  of  what 
the  Germans  call  the  "High"  Mid- 
dle Ages,  themselves  living  in  the 
completely  heroic  world  of  courts  and 
camps,  sang  the  deeds  of  Richard  and 
Taillefer  in  romtantic  times  gone  by. 
But  Taillefer  had  led  the  charge  at 
Hastings  as  he  "with  a  loud  voice 
animated  his  countrymen  with  songs 
in  praise  of  Charlemange  and  Ro- 
land."15 Charlemagne  and  Roland  in 
turn,  like  the  heroes  of  the  saga  time 
that  followed  them,  had  listened  to 
the  hero  tales  not  of  their  own  age 
but  of  a  totally  different  age  of  migra- 
tion 500  years  earlier. 

But  the  Germanic  heroic  tradition 
does  not  even  begin  with  Attila  and 
Ermanrich,  for  there  is  evidence  of 
a  still  older  Frankish  heroic  tradition, 
and  a  Gothic  one  before  that,  while 
the  oldest  of  the  Scandinavian  sagas 
emphatically  refers  everything  back 
to  Troy!16  Every  time  our  northern 
ancestors  have  found  themselves  liv- 
ing under  heroic  conditions  of  migra- 
tion and  world  upheaval,  they  have 
revived  an  authentic  heroic  literature, 
but  always  they  have  taken  as  their 
subject  not  the  deeds  of  their  own 
age  but  some  preceding  migration- 
time.  But  the  heroic  songs  of  those 
earlier  times  went  back  to  still  other 
migrations,  and  so  on.  Hence  the 
bedizening  impression  of  duplication 
and  repetition  and  the  sense  of  being 
lost  in  a  maze  of  time  or  a  hall  of 
mirrors. 

Let  us  go  back  to  the  earliest  of 
the  old  Norse  texts,  the  prose  Edda, 
and  take  a  look  at  Othinn,  the  great 
prototype  of  the  first  kings.17  He 
comes  with  the  storm,  especially  in  a 
terrible  wind,  and  whatever  his  spear 
or  rod  is  pointed  at  is  instantly  dedi- 
cated to  destruction;  he  is  the  arch- 
Einherja — the  great  destroyer;  he  is 
the  Sig-fadhir,  ever-victorious,  who 
having  subdued  the  land  builds  his 
castle,  Sigtun,  the  victory  fort,  where 
he  can  sit  in  a  high  tower  on  his  high 
seat,  the  HUthskialf,  and  through  a 
special  window  survey  all  that  goes 
on  in  the  earth.  At  the  slightest  sign 
of  disaffection  his  arrows  dart  forth 
to  overcome  the  most  distant  opposi- 
tion in  an  instant.  His  rule  was  won 
by  force  and  is  maintained  by  force, 
as  Loki  once  reminded  the  gods  when 
in  their  cups  at  a  great  feast  he  chal- 


lenged the  lot  as  usurpers  and  in- 
vaders.18 

Othinn  is  in  legend  the  Wild 
Huntsman,  who  leads  the  terrible 
host  through  the  sky.  The  peasantry 
dread  him  as  a  warrior  and  a  wan- 
derer in  the  earth;19  sometimes  he 
comes  traveling  in  disguise  to  spy  out 
the  land,  coming  in  a  great  raincoat 
and  floppy  hat  with  a  staff  and  a 
patch  over  his  eye — for  he  has  literal- 
ly given  his  right  eye  for  knowledge 
and  power.  As  the  god  of  runes  he 
brings  writing  with  him,  and  magic, 
and  hidden  knowledge,  and  auto- 
cratic rule. 

"There  is  something  eery  and 
treacherous"  about  him,  we  are  told, 
that  suggests  "the  autocratic  daring 
adventurer."  The  people  do  not  love 
him:  he  is  their  father  and  their 
ruler,  but  just  the  same  they  dread 
him — "they  are  afraid  of  his  intel- 
lectual superiority  and  aristocratic 
daring."  No  popular  oath  or  prayer 
of  the  many  that  have  survived  is 
ever  dedicated  to  him:  The  common 
people  dread  and  avoid  him.20 

When  Othinn  enters  the  land  as 
an  invader,  he  finds  Thor,  Frey,  and 
Njord  already  in  occupation:  They 
invaded  earlier,  and  have  now  settled 
down  to  become  homebodies  and 
popular  gods.  But  a  closer  examina- 
tion has  shown  that  originally  they 
too  all  did  exactly  as  Othinn  is  doing. 
Tyr,  for  example,  goes  back  to  an 
Indo-European  expansion  time  at 
least  a  thousand  years  before  Othinn's 
day.  "As  Zio  he  is  identical  with  Zeus 
as  director  of  wars.  .  .  ."  His  sign, 
like  Othinn's,  was  the  spear,  and  "if 
Getic,  Scythian  and  Gothic  tradi- 
tions meet  anywhere,  "it  is  in  the 
worship  of  his  spear,  which  led  the 
prehistoric  migrants  as  the  staff  of 
Moses  once  led  Israel.21 

The  fascinating  and  frightening 
figure  of  Othinn,  that  reminds  us  so 
strongly  of  the  prehistoric  kings  of 
Egypt  and  Babylonia  of  whom  we 
have  said  so  much,  is  no  invention 
of  scaldic  fancy,  however.  There 
actually  were  such  men,  and  one  of 
them  was  Attila  the  Hun,  the  hero  of 
half  the  Germanic  epics  and  the  vil- 
lain of  the  other  half.  For  the  Franks, 
Attila  is  the  treacherous  tyrant,  "pure 
'Asiatic,'"  while  "for  the  Bavarians 
and  Ostrogoths  he  is  the  model  of 
the  benevolent  protector."22 

The  earliest  German  epics  go  back 


to  a  time  when  Attila  "collected  the 
children  of  princes  from  the  lands  of 
all  the  lords  and  kept  them  as  hostages 
at  his  court,  from  which  they  were 
always  trying  to  escape."23  This  ro- 
mantic theme  was  more  than  poets' 
fancy:  the  Roman  ambassador  Priscus 
who  visited  the  court  of  Attila  had  a 
good  deal  to  say  about  these  hostages. 

As  to  the  sordid  and  bloody  af- 
fairs between  the  princely  houses, 
Schneider  says,  "There  is  nothing 
fictitious  about  this  wickedness;  it 
makes  the  thoroughly  convincing  im- 
pression of  having  been  actually  ex- 
perienced .  .  .  the  Asiatic  tyranny  is 
real."  And  another  authority  writes: 
"We  believe  that  the  actual  experi- 
ences of  the  Heroic  Age  often  enough 
found  expression  in  the  tragic  view  of 
life  (Weltbild).  Much  noble  blood 
was  shed,  brave  nations  vanished 
without  a  trace  after  performing 
mighty  deeds,  the  foundations  of 
great  empires  collapsed,  the  noble 
had  to  perish  and  the  base  to  tri- 
umph." 

Even  the  fabulous  story  of  Siegfried 
and  Brunhilda,  we  are  told,  "could 
come  right  out  of  a  typical  Meroving- 
ian chronicle,  in  which  the  deadly 
hatreds  among  the  royal  ladies,  the 
slaying  of  each  other's  vassals,  treach- 
erous ambushes  on  the  hunts,  and  so 
forth,  are  so  richly  attested."24  It  is 
not  history,  indeed,  but  it  is  "a  snap- 
shot of  the  real  contemporary  world 
of  the  Franks."24  And  way  back  in 
Tacitus  we  still  find  it:  the  inherited 
feuds  between  the  great  houses,  the 
riotous  banquets,  the  fighting,  gam- 
bling, and  bloody  vows. 

Since  the  writer  has  read  sagas  at 
least  once  a  week  for  thirty  years,  he 
is  sorely  tempted  to  exploit  the  vast- 
ness  of  this  neglected  field.  But  since 
with  the  progress  of  education  the 
comic  book  has  superseded  all  other 
books,  we  must  be  content  to  present 
the  epic  world  of  but  one  representa- 
tive saga.  It  is  the  Thithriks-saga  af 
Bern,  a  truly  gigantic  piece  and  "a 
great  storehouse  of  Germanic  legend, 
though  in  a  new  style  imitated  from 
French  romance,  but  recording  old 
tradition.  .  .  ,"25  The  great  hero  of 
this  saga  is  not  Theodoric  the  Goth, 
as  we  might  expect,  but  Attila.  And 
it  is  the  real  historical  Attila.  In  the 
Thithriks-saga,  Europe  is  described 
as  an  appendage  of  Asia — and  that 
(Continued  on  page  857) 


NOVEMBER  1956 


819 


MAN 
and  the 
GOSPEL. 


C$>o 


0*60  0tf^t><%0 


From  The   Improvement  Era,    l:826ff. 


Qs^^ 


by  B.  H.  Roberts. 


FORMERLY  EDITOR 
THE    IMPROVEMENT    ERA 


EXT       IN       IMPORTANCE       tO 

what  the  Church  teaches 
about  God  is  what  she 
teaches  in  regard  to  man. 
Next  to  God  man  certainly  is  the 
most  important  thing  in  the  universe; 
for  whether  we  view  him  from  the 
standpoint  of  his  relationship  to 
other  animals,  the  beauty  and  majesty 
of  his  physical  organism,  the  su- 
periority of  his  intellectual  endow- 
ments or  the  sublimity  of  his  spiritual 
aspirations,  something  will  be  found 
in  each  that  argues  for  him  a  special 
place  in  the  universe,  and  will  also 
furnish  good  grounds  for  the  belief 
that  a  special  relationship  exists  be- 
tween him  and  Deity. 

The  distinction  given  to  man  above 
all  other  known  creatures  might  well 
lead  the  Psalmist,  when  addressing 
himself  to  God,  to  say: 

What  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of 
him?  and  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest 
him?  For  thou  hast  made  him  a  little  lower 
than  the  angels,  and  Hast  crowned  him  with 
glory  and  honour.  Thou  madest  him  to 
have  dominion  over  the  works  of  thy  hands; 
thou  hast  put  all  things  under  his  feet.1 

The  question  of  the  Psalmist,  "what 
is  man?"  is  answered  by  the  Church — 
"The  son  of  God";  and  this  explains 
why  it  is  that  God  is  mindful  of  him. 
The  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  taught 
that  the  spirits  of  men  before  they 
tabernacled  in  the  flesh  had  an  ex- 


iPsalms   8:4-6. 

820 


istence  with  God  in  another  world; 
that  God  is  the  father  of  their  spirits, 
Jesus  Christ  being  the  first-born.2 
That  existence  was  a  tangible  one;  it 
involved  the  realities  of  life  in  the 
heavenly  kingdom.  Each  spirit  there 
was  as  much  an  entity  as  each  man 
is  in  this  present  life.  Each  spirit 
there  had  its  agency  as  each  man  has 
it  here;  and  was  at  liberty  to  take 
that  course  he  elected  to  pursue.3  "At 
the  first  organization  in  heaven,"  says 
the  prophet,  "we  were  all  present,  and 
saw  the  Savior  chosen  and  appointed, 
and  the  plan  of  salvation  made,  and 
we  sanctioned  it." 

Some  spirits  went  so  far  in  the  exer- 
cise of  their  agency  as  to  rebel  against 
God.  Lucifer,  the  Son  of  the  Morn- 
ing, did  so,  and  drew  away  with  him 
one-third  of  the  hosts  of  heaven;  and 
they  became  the  devil  and  his  angels.4 
This  is  not  only  the  teaching  of  Joseph 
Smith,  but  also  of  the  Bible.5 

One  thing,  however,  Joseph  Smith 
taught  which,  as  far  as  I  know,  the 
Bible  does  not  teach,  viz.,  that  the 
spirits  of  men  in  their  pre-existent 
estate  attained  unto  a  variety  of  de- 
grees of  intelligence  and  nobility  of 
character.  In  the  book  of  Abraham  it 
is  written: 

Now  the  Lord  had  shown  unto  me,  Abra- 
ham, the  intelligences  that  were  organized 
before  the  world  was;  and  among  all  these 
there  were  many  of  the  noble  and  great 
ones; 

And  God  saw  these  souls  that  they  were 
good,  and  he  stood  in  the  midst  of  them, 
and  he  said:  These  I  will  make  my  rulers, 
for  he  stood  among  those  that  were  spirits, 
.  .  .  and  he  said  unto  me:  Abraham,  thou 
art  one  of  them;  thou  wast  chosen  before 
thou  wast  born.6 

This  doctrine  throws  a  wonderful 
light  upon  the  being  and  nature  of 
man.  Notwithstanding  the  great  in- 
fluence of  parentage  and  environ- 
ment upon  character,  in  the  light  of 
this  doctrine,  we  may  understand  how 
it  is  that  in  spite  of  indifferent  parent- 
age and  vicious  environment  some 
characters  arise  that  are  truly  virtu- 
ous and  great;  and  that  purely  by  the 

2D  &  G  Sec.  93. 
3D  &  C  93:29-31. 

*D  &  C   29:36-38,    also   Pearl   of   Great   Price,   Abra- 
ham 3:27-28. 
sSee   Rev.    12:7-12.     II   Peter   2:4.     Jude   6. 
"Pearl    of    Great    Price,    Abraham    3:22-23. 


strength  of  that  intelligence  and  no- 
bility to  which  their  spirits  had 
attained  in  the  heavenly  kingdom  be- 
fore they  took  bodies  upon  earth. 
Their  grandeur  of  soul  could  not  all 
be  suppressed  by  environment  in  this 
life,  however  inauspicious  for  their 
development.  As  the  sun  struggles 
through  clouds  and  mists  that  at 
times  obscure  his  brightness,  so  these 
spirits,  stirred  by  their  innate  nobility, 
breaking  through  all  disadvantages 
attendant  upon  ignoble  birth  and  iron 
fortune,  rise  to  their  native  heights 
of  true  greatness. 

If  a  wider  survey  be  taken  of  man- 
kind, and,  those  advantages  and 
disadvantages  under  which  whole 
generations,  nations,  and  races  of  men 
have  lived  be  taken  into  account;  if 
the  fact  of  their  pre-existence  be  con- 
sidered in  connection  with  that  other 
fact  that  the  spirits  of  men  before 
coming  to  this  earth  were  of  unequal 
intelligence  and  of  every  degree  of 
nobility;  if  it  be  remembered  that  in 
that  pre-existent  state  all  spirits  had 
a  free  agency,  and  that  they  there 
manifested  all  degrees  of  fidelity  to 
truth  and  righteousness,  from  those 
who  were  valiant  for  the  right  to  those 
who  were  utterly  untrue  to  it,  and 
rebelled  against  God;  if  it  be  further 
remembered  that  doubtless  in  this 
earth  life  these  spirits  are  rewarded 
for  their  faithfulness  and  diligence  in 
that  pre-existent  state — if  all  this,  I 
say,  be  considered,  much  that  has 
perplexed  many  noble  minds  in  their 
effort  to  reconcile  the  varied  circum- 
stances under  which  men  have  lived 
with  the  justice  and  mercy  of  God, 
will  disappear. 

The  doctrine  of  the  pre-existence 
of  spirits,  as  also  their  relation  of  son- 
ship  to  Deity,  is  beypnd  all  doubt  a 
scriptural  doctrine;  but  it  seems  to 
have  been  reserved  for  the  Church  of 
Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints 
through  her  teaching  to  give  clear- 
ness and  force  to  it.  The  Fatherhood 
of  God,  and  its  necessary  corollary, 
the  brotherhood  of  man,  are  trite 
phrases  much  in  fashion  in  these 
modern  days;  but  it  is  questionable 
if  they  have  conveyed  to  the  minds  of 
men  any  definite  ideas  of  the  actual 
relationship  of  father  and  son  exist- 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


ing  between  man  and  Deity.  In  the 
mouths  of  sectarians  the  phrases  un- 
der discussion  have  always  been  em- 
ployed to  express  some  mystic  or 
indefinite  relationship  not  clearly  ex- 
plained or  explainable.  It  was  re- 
served, I  repeat,  for  the  great  modern 
prophet  to  give  these  phrases  reality. 
He  declared  the  relationship  to  be  as 
real  as  that  existing  between  any 
father  and  son  on  earth;  that  man's 
spirit  was  actually  the  offspring  of 
Deity— "A  spark  struck  from  his  own 
eternal  blaze."  With  him  the  Father- 
hood of  God  and  the  brotherhood  of 
man  were  not  mere  abstractions  more 
or  less  beautiful,  but  a  reality.  The 
words  taught  by  the  Savior  of  men  to 
his  disciples  as  the  proper  mode  of 
address  to  Deity — "Our  Father  which 
art  in  heaven" — are  not  meaningless 
verbiage,  but  express  true  relation- 
ship of  man  and  God. 

This  teaching  of  the  Church  receives 
support  from  the  language  of  Paul  in 
his  discourse  to  the  Greeks  in  Mars' 
hill,  where  he  approvingly  quoted  the 
words  of  the  Greek  poet  Aratus — "As 
certain  also  of  your  own  poets  have 
said,  for  we  are  also  his  offspring."7 
"Forasmuch  then,"  he  continues,  "as 
we  are  the  offspring  of  God,  we  ought 
not  to  think  that  the  Godhead  is  like 
unto  gold,  or  silver,  or  stone,  graven 
by  art  and  man's  device."8 

As  to  the  future  of  man  the  Church 
teaches  the  literal  resurrection  from 
the  dead;  that  is,  the  reunion  after 
death  of  the  spirit  and  the  body. 
And  from  thenceforward  she  teaches 


Brigham  H.  Roberts 

everlasting  perpetuation  of  life  in  that 
degree  of  glory  suited  to  the  develop- 
ment attained  by  each  individual— 
every  man  being  judged  according 
to  his  works.9  That  future  existence 
is  to  be  accompanied  by  every  possi- 
ble means  of  advancement  along  the 
lines  of  intellectual,  moral,  and  spir- 
itual progression,  ascending  step  by 
step  through  various  degrees  of  de- 
velopment, of  honor,  of  glory,  of 
power  toward  God,  until  at  the  last 
overcoming  all  evil  and  embodying 
all  good,  they  sit  down  with  Jesus 
in  his  throne,  as  he  overcame  and 
sat  down  with  his  father  in  his 
th: 


rone. 


10 


Tollowing,    in   part,    is   the    poem: 
"With    Zeus   begin   we — let    no    mortal    voice 
Leave  Zeus  unpraised.     Zeus  fills  the  haunts  of  men — 
The  streets,   the   marts — Zeus   fills  the   sea,   the   shores, 
The   harbors — every   where   we   live    in   Zeus. 
We  are  his  offspring  too.     Friendly  to  man, 
He    gives    prognostics;    sets    men    to    their    toil 
By  need   of  daily  bread;  etc." 

8Acts    17:28-29. 


With  these  views  in  respect  to  man 
past  and  future,  the  Church  regards 
the  present  existence  as  merely  a  pro- 
bation where  man  acquires  that  ex- 
perience and  gains  that  knowledge 
which  shall  prepare  him  for  the  future 
state  of  development  and  glory  which 
awaits  him,  if  in  this  life  he  fulfils 
the  object  of  his  mission  to  earth. 


An 

Improvement 
ERA 

iX  hir  JruliN  1 


^he  Church,  however,  makes  no  pronouncement 
concerning  the  fate  of  those  who  once  enlightened, 
and  having  tasted  the  heavenly  gift,  and  been  made 
partakers  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  good  word  of  God, 
and  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come — turn  altogether 
away  from  the  truth,  and  thus  crucify  to  themselves 
the  Son  of  God  afresh,  and  put  him  to  an  open 
shame  (Heb.  6:4-6).  Concerning  such  characters — 
who,  by  their  great  sin  of  high  treason  against  God, 
become  Sons  of  Perdition,  the  teaching  of  the 
Church  is  that  God  "saves  all  the  works  of  his  hands, 
except  those  sons  of  perdition  who  deny  the  Son 
after  the  Father  has  revealed  him.  Wherefore  he 
saves  all  except  them — they  shall  go  away  into  ever- 
lasting punishment,  *  *  *  where  their  worm  dieth 
not,  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched,  which  is  their 
torment — And  the  end  thereof,  neither  the  place 
thereof,  nor  their  torment,  no  man  knows,  neither  was 
it  revealed,  neither  is,  neither  will  be  revealed  unto 
man,  except  to  them  who  are  made  partakers  thereof; 
Nevertheless,  I,  the  Lord,  show  it  by  vision  unto 
many,  but  straightway  shut  it  up  again,  Wherefore, 
the  end,  the  width,  the  height,  the  depth,  and 
misery  thereof,  they  understand  not,  neither  any 
man  except  them  who  are  ordained  to  this  condemna- 
tion."   (D   &   C   Sec.    76:43-48.) 

i«Rev.  3:21. 


NOVEMBER  1956 


09 

6$ 


'T'he  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ  af- 
-*-  fects  man  in  two  ways:  generally 
and  individually. 

By  affecting  him  generally  I  mean 
that  the  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ 
redeems  all  men  from  the  conse- 
quences of  Adam's  transgression,  in- 
dependent of  any  action  on  their 
part;  for  it  is  evident  that  in  the  trans- 
gression of  Adam  the  individual 
agency  of  man  was  not  a  factor;  and 
therefore  justice  has  no  claim  in  visit- 
ing penalties  upon  the  individual  for 
sins  committed  by  Adam;  and  though 
death,  which  was  the  penalty  visited 
upon  Adam  and  his  race  in  conse- 
quences of  his  transgression,  falls  upon 
all  men,  still  free  redemption  is  pro- 
vided in  the  atonement  of  Jesus 
Christ;  and  the  advantages  that  ac- 
crue to  man  in  this  present  existence 
abundantly  compensate  him  for  his 
temporary  subjection  to  the  power  of 
death. 

The  free  redemption  from  the  con- 
sequences of  Adam's  transgression 
through  the  atonement  of  Jesus 
Christ  is  clearly  sustained  by  the 
great  authority  of  Paul  when  he  says: 
"For  since  by  man  came  death,  by 
man  came  also  the  resurrection  of 
the  dead.  For  as  in  Adam  all  die, 
even  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be  made 
alive."11  And  again  he  says  in  con- 
cluding a  long  argument  on  the  sub- 
ject, "Therefore  as  by  the  offence  of 
one  judgment  came  upon  all  men  to 
condemnation;  even  so  by  the  right- 
eousness of  one  the  free  gift  came 
upon  all  men  to  justification  of  life."12 
Hence  the  Church  teaches  in  her  arti- 
cles of  faith: 

We  believe  that  all  men  will  be  punished 
for  their  own  sins,  and  not  for  Adam's 
transgression. 

It  follows  as  a  literal  sequence  of 
these  doctrines  that  if  man  himself  so 
lives  that  he  commits  no  sin,  the  re- 
demption wrought  out  by  Jesus  Christ 
would  be  all-sufficient  without  re- 
pentance or  any  other  works  on  the 
part  of  man  to  insure  his  complete 
salvation.  Therefore  all  who  die  in 
a  state  of  innocence  (this  includes 
surely  all  who  die  in   infancy)    are 

ui    Cor.    15:21-22. 
MRom.   5:18. 

(Continued  on  following  page) 

821 


Man  and  the  Gospel 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

completely   redeemed   and   saved   in 
the  kingdom  of  God. 

By  the  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ 
affecting  men  individually,  mentioned 
above,  I  mean  that  the  Church 
teaches  that  through  the  Messiah's 
suffering  and  atonement  the  way  was 
opened  for  salvation  from  the  conse- 
quences of  man's  individual  sins  by 
absolute  obedience  to  conditions  pre- 
scribed in  the  gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Hence  the  Church  teaches 
that: 

Through  the  Atonement  of  Christ,  all 
mankind  may  be  saved,  by  obedience  to 
the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  gospel. 

And  she  teaches  that  the  principles 
to  be  accepted  and  the  ordinances  to 
be  obeyed  are,  first,  faith  in  God  the 
Father,  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
in  the  Holy  Ghost;  second,  repentance 
of  sin,  which  is  contrite  sorrow  for 
sin,  leading  to  a  resolution  for  the 
future  to  forsake  it;  third,  baptism  by 
immersion,  which  represents  the 
burial  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and 
his  resurrection  to  a  newness  of  life 
and  is  accompanied  by  forgiveness  of 
sin;  fourth,  the  reception  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  through  the  laying  on  of  hands, 
by  which  to  men  is  imparted  the 
power  to  walk  within  the  circle  of 
the  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
to  have  access  to  him  as  the  Man  of 
their  Counsel,  Comforter,  Compan- 
ion, and  Guide. 

That  the  order  of  these  principles 
and  ordinances  of  the  gospel  is  in 
strict  accord  with  the  scriptures  has 
been  so  frequently  demonstrated  in 
our  literature  that  I  do  not  under- 
take in  this  writing  to  point  out  that 
fact,  but  I  wish  to  call  attention  to 
the  reasonableness  and  logical  order 
that  exist  in  this  presentation  of  the 
gospel. 

FVith  is  not  regarded  by  us  as  the 
■*■  first  principle  of  the  gospel  be- 
cause of  any  arbitrary  arrangement 
but  because  of  the  nature  of  the  thing 
itself.  "He  that  cometh  to  God  must 
believe  that  he  is"  (that  is,  that  he 
exists),  is  the  language  of  Paul;  and 
the  truth  of  his  words  is  self-evident: 
for  if  men  do  not  believe  in  the  ex- 
istence of  God,  it  is  very  evident  that 
they  will  not  consider  themselves  un- 
der obligation  to  be  obedient  to  him, 
and  without  obedience  to  God  no 
progress  whatsoever  can  be  made  to- 
wards man's  salvation.    The  strength 

822 


of  this  conclusion  may  be  more  clearly 
seen  when  it  is  looked  at  from  the 
negative  side,  and  the  questions  asked: 
Why  is  it  that  the  atheist  does  not 
come  to  God?  Why  is  it  that  he 
does  not  repent  of  sin  in  response  to 
the  commandment  of  Jesus  Christ? 
Why  is  he  not  baptized  for  the  remis- 
sion of  his  sins?  In  each  case  the  an- 
swer is  because  he  does  not  believe  in 
the  existence  of  God  or  that  Jesus 
was  the  son  of  God,  and  hence  he 
does  not  account  himself  under  obli- 
gation to  yield  obedience  to  the  laws 
of  salvation  prescribed  by  them. 

Faith,  therefore,  is  the  first  princi- 
ple of  the  gospel  from  necessity,  be- 
cause of  the  nature  of  the  thing  itself. 
It  is  the  incentive  to  all  rational  ac- 
tion, and  by  reason  of  that  becomes 
the  foundation  of  all  righteousness, 
and  the  first  principle  of  revealed 
religion. 

Faith  in  God  once  established  it  is 
not  difficult  to  convince  men  that 
they  have  lived  in  violation  of  the 
righteous  laws  of  God;  that  they  have 
trampled  under  their  feet  the  right- 
eousness commanded  in  the  law  of 
heaven;  and  as  a  result  of  this  con- 
viction of  sin,  sorrow  takes  hold  of 
them  and  leads  them  unto  repent- 
ance, the  full  fruition  of  which  is  a 
reformation  of  life. 

No  sooner  does  sorrow  for  sin  take 
hold  of  one  than  he  desires  forgiveness 
of  past  offenses.  Many  times  in  the 
midst  of  his  groanings  over  sins  he 
says  in  his  heart:  "I  would  give  five, 
ten,  or  twenty  years  of  my  life,  or 
life  itself,  if  such  and  such  an  act 
could  only  be  obliterated  and  be- 
come as  if  it  never  had  been;  or  if  it 
could  be  forgiven  so  that  there  could 
be  reconciliation  between  me  and 
God,  between  me  and  my  conscience; 
that  I  might  again  feel  that  sense  of 
innocence  which  I  knew  before  I 
plunged  into  wrongdoing.  These  are 
the  natural  longings  of  the  human 
heart  when  the  spirit  of  repentance 
takes  possession  of  it,  and  the  gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ  in  the  logical  sequence 
of  its  teaching  rises  to  meet  this  con- 
dition and  tells  the  sinner  that  though 
his  sins  be  as  scarlet  yet,  since  he  has 
faith  in  God  and  sincere  sorrow  for 
his  sins,  by  baptism  in  water,  in  the 
name  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  his  sins 
may  be  washed  white  as  wool — the 
past  forgiven,  and  reconciliation  with 
God  effected. 

But   after  forgiveness   of  past  sins 


the  human  weakness  still  remains, 
human  inclination  to  sin  still  drives 
man  on  toward  error,  and  his  imper- 
fect judgment  is  not  sufficient  to  guide 
him  aright;  his  human  strength  alone 
is  not  sufficient  to  make  him  equal 
to  the  task  of  living  in  harmony  with 
the  divine  law.  God  knew  this  would 
be  the  condition  of  man  and  hence 
provided  in  his  gospel  even  a  better 
baptism  than  that  in  water,  the  bap- 
tism of  the  Holy  Ghost;  by  which 
man's  life  is  brought  in  touch  with 
the  life  of  God,  and  some  of  God's 
strength  imparted  to  him  by  reason 
of  which  he  may  hope  to  overcome 
the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil. 
He  receives  in  the  companionship  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  privilege  of 
perpetually  walking  within  the  circle 
of  his  influence,  an  unction  from  the 
Holy  One,  by  which  he  may  know  all 
things,  an  anointing  which,  if  it 
abide  upon  him,  will  teach  him  all 
things.13  Under  this  companionship 
and  its  influence  man  begins  the  work 
of  character  building,  which  at  the 
last  shall  prepare  him  to  dwell  with 
God.  It  is  not  an  easy  task  nor  one 
that  can  be  completed  instantaneous- 
ly. It  means  constant  watching, 
fervent  prayer,  the  practice  of  self-re- 
straint, the  purging  out  of  iniquity, 
and  grafting  in  of  virtues;  it  means 
learning  line  upon  line,  precept  upon 
precept,  acquiring  of  virtue  here  a 
little,  and  there  a  little,  and  so  on 
through  all  the  years  of  man's  life — 
and  continues  in  eternity  we  know 
not  how  long;  but  certainly  until  all 
unworthiness,  under  the  help  of  God, 
is  purged  out;  and  all  which  makes 
for  truth,  for  righteousness,  for  holi- 
ness, is  brought  in;  and  the  whole 
man  through  the  grace  of  God  cou- 
pled with  his  own  desires  and  self- 
effort  is  made  fit  for  the  heavenly 
kingdom. 

HPhis  is  not  an  easy  plan  of  salva- 
tion, that  is,  when  compared  with 
some  theologies  which  define  the 
scheme  of  man's  redemption  from  his 
fallen  state;  but  it  is  the  easiest  in 
reality,  for  the  reason  that  it  is  the 
only  true  gospel,  and  is  the  plan  de- 
vised in  heaven  for  man's  salvation, 
and  the  one  which  all  men  must  at 
the  last  accept,  for  there  is  no  other. 
This  is  the  everlasting  gospel,  the 
same  through  all  ages  and  dispensa- 
tions. Those  who  have  lived  on  the 
earth  in  periods  of  time  when  this 
gospel  was  not  taught  and  divine  au- 


13I  John   2:20-27. 


(Concluded  on  page  865) 
THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


To  Walk 


Uprightly 


Marie  sat  in  the  cool  chapel  re- 
membering how  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  School 
had  come  up  to  her  last  week  as  she 
walked  out. 

He  had  smiled  his  genial,  loved 
smile  and  said,  "I  think  it  is  about 
time  you  started  teaching  Sunday 
School." 

She  had  laughed,  asking,  "You  do? 
Why?" 

He  had  grown  more  serious  then, 
telling  her,  "We  were  mentioning 
your  name  in  officers'  meeting.  We 
really  do  think  that  you  would  do  a 
fine  job  in  the  Junior  Sunday  School. 
And  we  need  someone.  Would  you 
consider  it?" 

She  shrugged  slightly,  saying, 
"Mother  has  always  taught  me  to  say 
yes  when  I'm  asked  to  do  some- 
thing.    I  suppose  I  will.     That  is,  if 

15) 
can — 

"We  don't  have  any  doubt  about 
that.  We  will  get  the  manual  to  you 
and  maybe  you  can  start  next  week. 
The  class  is  the  six-year-olds." 

She  had  walked  home  happily,  her 
navy  box  suit  jacket  swinging  as  she 
moved,  her  high  heels  making  a 
pleasant  sound  on  the  cement.  She 
told  her  parents  as  they  sat  down  to 
eat  the  dinner  her  mother  had  pre- 
pared the  night  before — potato  salad, 
cold  roast,  tomatoes,  and  lemon  pie — 
and  they  were  both  pleased. 

"Seems  no  time  at  all  since  you 
were  in  that  category,"  her  father 
said,  opening  his  napkin.  "Our  little 
girl  has  certainly  grown  up." 

"I'll  soon  be  of  age,"  she  assured 
them,  "then  I  can  do  anything  I 
please."  Her  eyes  twinkled  as  she 
added,    "Eighteen   next   Thursday." 

"Just  be  sure  that  what  you  please 
is  right,"  her  mother  said,  smiling. 

"Naturally,  it  will  be,"  Marie 
agreed,  passing  her  plate  for  a  sec- 
ond helping. 

"Always      walk     uprightly,"     her 

NOVEMBER  1956 


by  Christie  Lund  Coles 


She  saw  the  smart  two-toned  con- 
vertible on  the  other  side  of  the  street. 
Debbie  and  the  two  men  .  .  .  were 
sitting  in  the  convertible  seat  laughing 
and  talking. 


father  told  her,  a  bit  self-consciously, 
yet  with  deep  sincerity. 

Now,  as  she  remembered  the  week 
that  had  passed,  the  words  came 
back  to  her  vividly.  She  was  only 
half  hearing  the  teacher  in  monthly 
preparation  meeting  although  she 
knew  what  she  was  saying.  She  knew 
that  the  way  to  reach  the  little  ones 
was  through  kindness,  patience,  and 
a  soft,  soft  voice  that  made  them  want 
to  be  quiet,  to  listen.  She  knew  that 
just  teaching  them  this  morning,  lis- 
tening to  the  little  things  they  had  to 
say  about  their  prayers  and  their  par- 
ents, was  one  of  the  sweetest  experi- 
ences of  her  life.  She  had  always 
loved  children.  Even  when  she  was 
small  herself,  she  was  always  mother- 
ing them. 

And  this  morning  they  had  all 
seemed  to  love  her  as  they  argued 
which  should  sit  by  her,  asked  her 
to  hold  their  handkies,  and  told  her 
that  she  was  pretty. 

It  had  been   a   happy  week.    The 


birthday  party — with  several  friends 
there  for  dinner — had  been  wonder- 
ful, with  singing  and  kidding,  and 
gifts.  Then,  on  Saturday,  Debbie,  a 
friend  she  had  not  seen  for  three 
years,  came  to  town  and  called  her. 
Marie  invited  her  to  dinner  and  she 
came,  beautiful  and  smiling. 

Yet  Marie  was  amazed  at  how  she 
had  changed.  Her  light  hair  had 
been  further  lightened  by  a  rinse  or 
bleach;  her  eyes  were  made  up;  and 
she  wore  too  much  lipstick.  It 
seemed  strange  to  Marie,  who  still 
just  scrubbed  her  face  and  used  a 
touch  of  color  on  her  lips. 

Debbie  didn't  have  much  to  say 
to  her  parents,  but  she  told  Marie 
about  the  fun  she  had  on  her  vaca- 
tion, of  all  the  things  there  were  to 
see  and  do.  Marie's  own  days  seemed 
colorless  by  comparison. 

When  the  girl  was  ready  to  leave, 
she  drew  Marie  onto  the  porch  to 
whisper,  "Listen,  kid,  there  are  a  cou- 

(Continued  on  page  864) 

823 


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A  LOOK  AT  MORMONISM 


rtoi 


Compiled  by  Benjamin  Alward 


P^\ 


REX     A. 


•  Visit  the  new  Deseret  Book  for  a  com- 
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Every  department  of  the 
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have  achieved  both  na- 
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prominence.  This  modern 
approach  will  hold  read- 
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views  of  the  Church 
throughout  the  world.  Size 
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THE  TEMPLE 
LETTERS 

Claude  Richards 

This  book  offers  a  wealth  of 
background  material,  taken 
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11. 

DOCTRINES   OF 

SALVATION 

Vol.  I,  II,  HI 

Compiled  by 
Bruce  R.  McConkie 

A  wealth  of  material 
from  the  writings  and 
discourses  of  President 
Joseph  Fielding  Smith 
is  contained  in  these 
volumes.  A  large  part 
of  it  is  new  material, 
taken  from  his  personal 
correspondence. 

$3.25  each 


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13. 

THE  KINGDOM 

OF  GOD 

RESTORED 

Carter  E.  Grant 

New  information  concerning  the 
establishment  of  the  LDS 
Church  in  the  early  days  makes 
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of  Church  history.  This  history 
reads  with  all  the  fascination 
of  a  novel,  and  has  wide  appeal. 
It  spans  the  years  from  early 
pioneer  days  in  Pennsylvania 
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OUR  PROPHETS  AND 
PRINCIPLES 

Published  by  "The  Instructor," 

the  Sunday  School  Magazine 

Enlightening  discussions  o  n 
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AND  DESTINY 

Joseph  Fielding  Smith 

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14. 


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PIONEER  FATHERS 


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Brigham  Young,  John 
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fail  to  abide  the  mar- 
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17. 

ISRAELI 
DO  YOU   KNOW? 

LeGrand  Richards 

The  promises  made  to 
the  House  of  Judah  by 
the  Lord  are  related 
with  deep  insight  and 
compared  with  timely 
happenings  in  this  out- 
standing book.  Here,  in 
printed  work,  you  be- 
come aware  of  the 
actual  fulfilment  of  an- 
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CHRIST  IN 


THE  GOSPEL 

TEACHINGS  IN  THE 

BOOK  OF  MORMON 

Ezra  L.  Marler 

This  is  the  second  pocketbook-size 
member  of  the  Book  of  Mormon 
Trilogy.  It  deals  with  the  Gospel 
teachings  in  the  Book  of  Mormon 
and  classifies  them  in  subject  form. 
The  book  is  indexed  so  one  can 
find  Book  of  Mormon  quotations  on 
various  subjects  quickly  and  easily. 
A  very  helpful  aid 
in  Book  of  Mormon 
teaching  or  in 
speech  preparation. 
$1.00 


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Ezra  L.  Marler 
21. 

HISTORY  AND  STORIES 

IN  THE 

BOOK  OF  MORMON 

Ezra  L.  Marler 


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22. 

MOTHERHOOD, 

A  PARTNERSHIP 

WITH   GOD 

Compiled  by 

Harold  Lundsrrom 

This  inspiring  book  demands 
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pertinent    topics.  $3.50 


18. 

PROPHECY  AND 
MODERN  TIMES 

W.  Cleon  Skousen 

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23. 

YOUTH,  LOVE 
AND  MARRIAGE 

Dr.  Rex  A.  Skidmore 

Many  perplexing  ques- 
tions that  trouble 
youth,  such  as  develop- 
ing friendships,  dating, 
courtship,  and  adequate  |||||| 
preparation  for  mar- 
riage are  discussed  by 
Dr.  Skidmore.  This 
book  is  an  excellent 
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^M 


CHILD'S  STORY  OF  THE 
PEARL  OF  GREAT   PRICE 

Deta  Petersen  Neeley 

Stories  from  the  Pearl  of  Great  Price 
are  presented  in  easy-to-read  dramatic 
narrative,  following  page-by-page  the 
original  text.  Included:  The  creation 
account  of  all  people  from  the  Book 
of  Moses,  the  council  of  God,  and 
the  vision  of  the  Prophet  Joseph 
Smith.     Beautifully    illustrated.     $1.75 

THE  COMING  OF  THE 
MORMONS 

Jim  Kjelgcmrd 
Illustrated  by  Stephen  L.  Voorhies. 
Once  again  the  mighty  migration  of 
the  Saints  from  Illinois  to  the  Salt 
Lake  Valley,  under  the  leadership  of 
Brigham  Young,  has  been  told — this 
time  in  a  style  well-suited  to  the 
imaginations   of   young   people.     $1.50 

THE  WORLD  WE 
LIVE   IN 

In  this  216-page  special  edi- 
tion of  Life  Magazine's  "The 
World  We  Live  In,"  you'll 
find  more  than  150  superb 
color  paintings,  maps,  and 
photographs  taken  from  the 
original  version  that  show 
countless  splendors  of  our 
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28. 

LITTLE  STEPPING 
STONES 

Lucy  Gertsch  Thomson 

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—The  Story  of  the   Nativity 

Norman  Vincent  Peale 

Simply  and  reverently  the  story  of 
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the  entire  course  of  human  history. 
Beautifully  illustrated  by  William 
Moyers.  $2.00 

30. 

THE  STORY  OF  OUR  CHURCH 
(For  Young  Latter-day  Saints) 

Emma  Marr  Petersen 

Essential  events,  doctrines,  and  bio- 
graphical material  on  the  leaders  of 
the  Church  are  contained  in  this  book, 
written  in  a  style  that  holds  great 
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|  THE  COMING 
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E.  Kay  Kirkham 

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up-to-the-minute  treatise  on  government  records,  early  maps  of 
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33. 

THE  ABC'S  OF  AMERICAN  GENEALOGICAL 

RESEARCH 

E.  Kay  Kirkham 

This  recently  revised  textbook  contains  a  wealth  of  information 
valuable  to  both  beginner  and  veteran  in  American  Genealogical 
Research — especially  good  on   Government   records.  $1.75 

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OUR  FAMILY  THROUGH  THE  YEARS 

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OUR  FAMILY  RECORD 

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History  and  Functions  of  the  Presiding  Bishopric 


(Concluded  from  page  794) 
to  the  Church,  he  revealed  through 
the  Prophet  Joseph  the  duties  of  the 
Bishop  and  his  Counselors  relative  to 
their  duties  as  judges  of  the  people 
as  follows: 

And  whoso  standeth  in  this  mission  is 
appointed  to  be  a  judge  in  Israel,  like  as 
it  was  in  ancient  days,  to  divide  the  lands 
of  the   heritage    of   God   unto  his  children; 

And  to  judge  his  people  by  the  testimony 
of  the  just,  and  by  the  assistance  of  his 
counselors,  according  to  the  laws  of  the 
kingdom  which  are  given  by  the  prophets 
of  God.  (D  &  C  58:17-18.) 

There  have  been  eight  Presiding 
Bishops  since  the  restoration  of  the 
gospel.  There  have  been  eight  first 
counselors,  one  of  whom  became  the 
Presiding  Bishop.  Of  the  twelve 
second  counselors,  five  became  first 
counselors. 


f\N   February   4,    1831,   an   unex- 

^  pected  development  in  Church 
organization  took  place.  The  Prophet 
Joseph  received  a  revelation  in  which 
Edward  Partridge  was  called  from  his 
business  to  be  the  first  Bishop  to  the 
Church.  He  was  well -qualified  by 
experience  and  native  ability  to  fill 
the  position  and  held  the  office  until 
his  death  in  1840. 

It  was  made  known  by  the  Lord 
that  other  bishops  would  be  chosen 
in  addition  to  Bishop  Partridge.  On 
December  4,  1831,  Newel  K.  Whitney 
was  called  and  appointed  as  bishop 
of  Kirtland.  His  experience  in  mer- 
chandising and  in  business  affairs 
generally  qualified  him  for  this  im- 
portant position.  He  became  the  Pre- 
siding Bishop,  being  sustained  at  the 
April  Conference  of  1847,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  until  his  death  in  1850. 

The  third  Presiding  Bishop  of  the 
Church  was  Edward  Hunter.  He, 
too,  had  proved  his  business  acumen. 
He  had  been  a  staunch  defender  of 
the  faith  and  a  personal  friend  of  the 
Prophet  Joseph  Smith.  He  had  made 
enormous  contributions  to  the  Church 
at  a  time  when  they  were  sorely 
needed.  He  served  as  a  bishop  in 
the  Nauvoo  Fifth  Ward,  the  Winter 
Quarters  Seventh  Ward,  the  South 
Fort  Ward,  and  the  Thirteenth  Ward 
of  Salt  Lake  City.  He  was  called  by 
the  First  Presidency  to  go  to  the  Mis- 


souri River  and  supervise  the  emigra- 
tion of  the  poor  Saints  to  the  Salt 
Lake  Valley.  His  business  and  or- 
ganizational ability,  his  sense  of  jus- 
tice, and  his  experience  as  a  bishop 
especially  qualified  him  to  succeed 
his  very  dear  friend  Bishop  Whitney 
as  the  Presiding  Bishop.  During  his 
administration  he  placed  great  em- 
phasis upon  the  payment  of  tithing 
and  offerings.  He  was  sustained  as 
Presiding  Bishop  on  April  7,  1856, 
and  remained  in  office  until  his  death 
on  October  16,  1883. 

Bishop  William  B.  Preston  suc- 
ceeded Bishop  Hunter  as  Presiding 
Bishop.  He  was  set  apart  on  April 
6,  1884,  and  remained  in  that  office 
until  shortly  before  his  death  on 
August  2,  1908.  Bishop  Preston's  ex- 
perience was  rugged  and  practical 
and  fitted  him  for  the  great  responsi- 
bilities of  directing  the  Aaronic 
Priesthood  and  handling  the  temporal 
affairs  of  the  Church.  He  served  as 
the  first  bishop  of  Logan,  which  com- 
munity he  helped  to  colonize.  He 
also  became  president  of  Cache  Stake. 

Bishop  Charles  W.  Nibley  was  or- 
dained a  bishop  and  set  apart  as 
Presiding  Bishop  on  December  11, 
1907.  He  was  an  excellent  financier 
and  businessman,  having  had  expe- 
rience in  organizing  and  operating 
lumber,  railroad,  and  sugar  com- 
panies. He  was  taken  from  the  office 
of  Presiding  Bishop  to  become  the 
Second  Counselor  to  President  Heber 
J.  Grant  on  May  28,  1925. 

The  sixth  Presiding  Bishop  was 
Sylvester  Q.  Cannon.  He  was  or- 
dained and  set  apart  on  June  4,  1925, 
and  served  in  office  until  called  as  an 
associate  member  of  the  Council  of 
the  Twelve  on  April  14,  1938.  He 
was  a  man  of  great  faith  and  was  de- 
voted to  the  Church  and  its  growth. 
During  his  administration  emphasis 
was  given  to  accounting  for  the  rec- 
ord and  activity  of  the  members  of 
the  Church. 

Bishop  LeGrand  Richards  was  set 
apart  as  Presiding  Bishop  on  April 
14,  1938.  He  was  called  to  be  an 
apostle  and  released  as  Presiding 
Bishop  on  April  6,  1952.  He  had 
been  a  successful  businessman  before 
his  call  to  be  Presiding  Bishop.  He 
had  served  as  bishop  of  three  wards, 


missionary  in  two  missions,  president 
of  Hollywood  Stake,  and  president 
of  the  Netherlands  and  Southern 
States  missions.  During  his  term  of 
office,  chapels  and  other  Church 
buildings  were  built  on  an  unprece- 
dented scale.  An  organized  program 
for  senior  members  of  the  Aaronic 
Priesthood  came  into  being.  New 
emphasis  was  placed  upon  attendance 
at  Sacrament  meeting.  Greater  stress 
was  laid  upon  the  ward  teaching 
visits  as  a  means  of  increasing  spir- 
ituality in  the  Church. 

The  eighth  and  present  Presiding 
Bishop  is  Joseph  L.  Wirthlin.  He 
was  set  apart  as  Presiding  Bishop  on 
April  10,  1952,  having  previously 
served  as  first  and  second  counselor 
to  Bishop  Richards.  Percentages  of 
attendance  at  priesthood  and  Sacra- 
ment meetings  have  reached  a  new 
high  under  the  guidance  of  the  pres- 
ent Presiding  Bishopric.  Tithing  rec- 
ords are  at  an  all-time  peak.  The 
percentage  of  families  visited  by  ward 
teachers  is  greater  than  ever  before. 

With  the  approval  of  the  First 
Presidency,  the  present  administra- 
tion has  brought  about  a  change  in 
the  age  schedule  for  ordination  in  the 
Aaronic  Priesthood.  The  senior  mem- 
bers of  the  Aaronic  Priesthood  have 
been  organized  into  functional  quo- 
rums or  groups. 

Bishop  Wirthlin  has  called  two 
outstanding  spiritual  and  business 
leaders,  Bishop  Thorpe  B.  Isaacson 
and  Bishop  Carl  W.  Buehner,  as  his 
first  and  second  counselors,  respec- 
tively. 

Bishop  Wirthlin  and  his  counselors 
love  the  boys  and  men  over  whom 
they  preside  as  the  presidency  of  the 
Aaronic  Priesthood.  Their  collective 
effort  has  given  great  impetus  to  the 
programs  they  are  called  to  direct. 
They  put  the  Lord's  work  first  and 
give  freely  of  their  time  and  means 
for  the  building  of  the  kingdom  of 
God.  They  seek  his  counsel  in  the 
judgments  they  are  called  to  render. 
They  are  subject  in  all  things  to  the 
presiding  authority  of  the  First  Presi- 
dency and  solicit  the  co-operation  of 
all  organizations  and  all  members  in 
strengthening  the  Church  and  pre- 
paring for  the  establishment  upon 
earth  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 


830 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Families  agree  on  KSL-TV 


NOVEMBER  1956 


831 


WAS   TEN    YEARS  OLD    that 

spring,  and  just  "aching" 
to  get  away  from  the  city 
to  revel  in  the  glow  of 
the  good  old  Wyoming  hills,  where 
I  had  spent  the  summers  since  I  was 
a  year  old;  and  when  a  boy  wants  a 
thing,  with  his  whole  heart,  there  is 
always  great  strength  in  his  plead- 
ings. I  think  that  his  conviction 
makes  his  voice  more  earnest,  and  if 
the  object  to  be  won  is  not  positively 
unattainable,  he  will  surely  win  it. 

And  so  it  was  with  me.  Near  the 
middle  of  April,  after  a  long,  cold 
winter  of  hibernation,  I  was  fairly 
wild  to  get  away  from  home.  The 
morning  we  were  expecting  to  leave, 
in  our  covered  wagon,  with  my  little 
buckskin  pony,  happened  to  be 
cloudy,  not  exactly  storm-threatening, 
simply  a  sorry  sky. 

I  remember  arising  very  early,  after 
a  night  of  restlessness,  to  feed  our 
animals,  and  then  spending  nearly  an 
hour  caring  for  my  own  mount.  When 
I  finally  got  the  saddle  on  her  back, 
I  gazed  upon  the  animal  with  an 
indescribable  pride.     I  was  happy. 

With  this  feeling  of  utter  joy,  I 
skipped  into  the  house.  I  had  only 
entered,  however,  when  a  remark 
from  father  came  to  my  ear:  "I  think 
we  should  not  start  today;  the  sky  is 
very  threatening,  to  venture  on  so 
long  a  trip  into  the  mountains." 

There  was  a  great  fall  in  stocks. 
Instantly  my  throat  was  blocked,  and 
I  wanted  to  cry.  To  delay  our  expe- 
dition for  even  one  day,  after  the 
anticipation  I  had  endured,  was  most 
repugnant  to  me.  But  after  a  mo- 
ment's struggle,  I  braced  myself,  and 
the  way  I  talked,  gestured,  and 
argued  that  the  sun  would  shine  by 
noon,  and  that  there  was  no  use  in 
being  bluffed  by  a  cloudy  sky,  would 
have  made  any  jury  swerve.  My 
father  was  no  easy  man  to  persuade, 
but  finally  he  gave  the  word  to  go. 

Father  and  I  were  to  go,  at  this 


t^o 


time,  and  when  summer  came,  the 
family  should  come  and  live  in  the 
old  log  cabin  that  stood  just  below 
the  quaking-asp  grove.  My  father 
was  a  sheepman  of  no  great  posses- 
sions, and  in  the  springtime,  when 
lambs  came  to  make  work  for  extra 
men,  he  managed  to  do  a  great  deal 
of  the  extra  work  himself,  and  thus 
save  expenses.  Although  I  was  young, 
he  felt  that  I  could  go  out,  and  "catch 
on"  a  little. 

As  I  rode  out  of  the  gate,  after 
having  bidden  my  mother  an  affec- 
tionate farewell,  I  felt  exceedingly 
proud.  For  the  first  time  in  my  life, 
I  was  sitting  in  a  man's  saddle,  with 
the  stirrups  just  the  right  length.  No 
cushion,  however  soft,  could  have 
compared  with  the  smooth,  strong 
seat  of  that  saddle.  Then,  as  a  de- 
parting token,  I  straightened  myself 
in  the  stirrups,  waved  my  hat,  and 
gave  the  signal  to  go  on.  She  did  go, 
the  little  buckskin,  and  the  cut  of 
the  morning  air  was  like  life  anew. 

The  distance  was  just  five  miles  to 
the  mouth  of  the  canyon,  which  pene- 
trated the  Wasatch.  In  less  than  an 
hour  we  were  hidden  from  the  sight 
of  our  home  by  those  giant  hills  on 
either  side.  But  I  did  not  think  of 
home.  The  magnitude  of  nature  held 
my  mind. 

At  noon  we  stopped  in  a  dell  of 
the  mountains,  having  traveled  just 
sixteen  miles.  While  we  were  eating 
our  lunch,  the  first  drop  of  rain  fell, 
and  I  could  see  a  look  of  worriment 
spread  over  my  father's  face.  Still 
I  persisted  in  saying  within  myself 
that  I  could  see  blue  spots  in  the  sky 
and  that  the  clouds  would  soon  blow 


COYOTES-A  Tale 


From  The  Improvement  Era,  9:215ff.  (January  1906.) 

away.  The  afternoon,  however,  saw 
a  steady  increase  in  the  downfall, 
with  our  road  a  steeper  grade.  I 
stayed  on  my  horse  and  got  a  good 
soaking.  Not  until  we  were  making 
our  way  through  the  half -thawed 
drifts  of  old  snow  that  capped  the 
summit  of  this  divide  did  I  assent  to 
my  father's  wish,  and  climb  into  the 
wagon.  Certainly  we  were  surrounded 
by  conditions  that  would  have  de- 
stroyed the  courage  of  any  boy,  and 
it  seems  strange  to  me  since  that  I 
did  not  think  for  a  moment  we  were 
in  despair.  The  reason,  of  course, 
was  that  I  looked  ahead  to  a  place — a 
paradise  to  me.  I  saw  only  the  sun, 
shining  upon  this  land  ahead. 

The  descent  into  East  Canyon  was 
rough  and  steep,  but  the  distance 
was  comparatively  short.  We  were 
given  the  privilege  of  making  a  bed 
in  an  old  barn,  that  evening,  where 
the  water  dripped  on  us  all  night. 
The  next  morning  I  was  as  full  of 
hope  as  ever,  and  still  anxious  to  get 
on.  Th'at  day  we  had  snow,  and  for 
three  days  it  continued  to  fall,  until 
we  were  forced  to  stop  for  a  time  at 
an  inn,  about  halfway  through  Chalk 
Canyon.  When  We  started  again, 
there  were  nearly  eighteen  inches  of 
snow  on  the  level,  and  drifts  in  every 
hollow,  causing  us  great  struggle  to 
get  the  wagon  along. 

We  decided,   after  the  first  night, 


An 

Improvement 

ERA 

REPRINT 


832 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Pt 


of  the  Hills 


by  Charles  Herman 

that  it  would  be  impossible  to  take 
the  wagon  farther,  so  we  took  the 
front  wheels  off,  and  made  a  moun- 
tain cart.  On  this  we  placed  only 
mere  necessities,  and  began  once  more 
our  heavy  journey.  In  this  manner 
we  pushed  along  over  some  seven 
miles  of  the  eighteen  that  remained 
of  our  trip.  Here  we  got  stuck  in  a 
bank  of  snow,  and  all  efforts  to  extri- 
cate ourselves  proved  futile. 

But  there  is  always  a  way,  so  Father 
says,  and  I  believe  him.  We  un- 
hitched our  team,  and  prepared  to 
move  on  horseback.  We  limited  our 
pack  to  the  bedding  and  a  little  flour. 
We  had  now  crossed  the  Wyoming 
line  and  were  entering  the  sheep 
country,  the  place  chosen  by  flock- 
masters  for  lambing  ground,  because 
of  its  location  near  the  summer  ranges 
and  its  comparative  protection.  This 
country  was  a  basin  about  seven  miles 
in  width.  Nowhere  could  one  see  an 
outlet.  To  the  west  and  south 
towered  a  range  of  mountains  covered 
with  a  heavy  growth  of  timber.  The 
canyon  through  which  we  had  just 
emerged  penetrated  this  great  wall, 
but  all  traces  of  the  outlet  were  ob- 
literated by  the  peculiar  formation  of 
the  foothills.  A  ridge,  almost  perpen- 
dicular, rising  nearly  five  hundred  feet, 
formed  the  basin's  rim  to  the  east 
and  north.  Thus  surrounded,  one 
could  easily  appreciate  the  name 
Basin. 

Over  the  hills  and  hollows,  now 
made  almost  level  by  the  drifted 
snow,  roamed  hundreds  of  wild 
horses,  who  devoured  a  goodly  share 
of  the  grass,  and  were,  therefore, 
much  hated  by  the  sheepmen. 

But  on  our  entire  journey  we  had 
neither  heard  nor  seen  a  trace  of 
these  wild  animals  or  any  others.  As 
we  began  our  journey  anew,  a  faint 
howl,  away  in  the  distance,  broke  the 
silence  and  greeted  our  ears.  It  was 
followed  by  another,  until  we  realized 
that  the  country  was  swarming  with 


coyotes,  made  ravenous  and  desperate 
through  the  long  storm.  The  heavy 
snow  had  hindered  the  movements  of 
everything.  The  smaller  animals, 
which  form  the  food  of  these  crea- 
tures, had  not  emerged  from  their 
winter's  sleep.  The  sheep  were  also 
held  back  by  the  storms. 

Our  progress  became  more  and 
more  impeded.  It  was  almost  im- 
possible to  pick  our  way  between 
snowdrifts,  and,  consequently,  we 
were  often  floundering  in  one  of  these 
traps  of  nature.  When  we  did  get 
into  such  a  predicament,  the  only 
thing  we  could  do  was  to  dismount 
and  lead  the  animals  through.  This 
fell  to  my  lot;  but  as  I  was  light,  the 
crust  of  the  snow  held  me  up. 

My  father  was  a  cripple,  having 
lost  a  limb  in  an  accident  when  very 
young,  and  he  was  now  using  a 
crutch.  How  to  get  through  was  to 
him  a  serious  problem.  At  the  first 
step,  his  crutch  sank  almost  to  his 
shoulder,  and  he  fell  on  to  his  face. 
But  where  there  is  a  will  there  is  a 
way.  My  father,  therefore,  lay  down 
on  the  snow,  and  often  rolled  over, 
hundreds  and  hundreds  of  yards  on 
that  miserable  day.  Many  times 
since,  I  have  wondered  how  he  could 
have  had  the  fortitude. 

I  now  fully  comprehended  the  con- 
dition to  which  we  were  reduced,  and 
my  heart  completely  gave  way.  Al- 
most simultaneously  with  the  sinking 
of  my  spirits,  a  fog  began  to  settle 
gradually  over  us,  until  we  were  en- 
veloped in  a  great  water-spent  cloud, 
and  all  trace  of  landmark  or  direction 
was  gone.  We  were  lost!  No  use  to 
wander  and  fatigue  ourselves  under 
such  conditions.  On  the  next  piece 
of  earth  we  touched,  we  did  the  only 
thing  possible — stood  still! 

The  maudlin  yelp  of  the  thievish 
coyotes  continued,  growing  louder 
and  louder!  While  we  were  moving, 
our  minds  were  too  much  occupied 
with  other  things  to  notice  their  ap- 
proach, but  now  that  we  were  stand- 
ing still,  we  heard  nothing  but  their 
awful  music.  Cut  off  from  the  world, 
bound  hand  and  foot,  it  seemed  to 
me  that  matters  could  not  be  worse. 
Sitting  on  our  horses'  backs,  we  could 
scarcely  see  a  foot  from  their  heads, 
owing  to  the  thickness  of  the  fog. 


I  know  not  what  Father  thought, 
but  for  myself,  I  was  sorely  afraid.  I 
could  not  control  my  sobs!  To  be 
candid,  I  lost  all  hope.  I  expected  to 
die.  My  dear  father's  presence  was 
my  only  relief,  and  I  rode  up  very 
close  to  him. 

The  yelping  was  all  around  us. 
Father  looked  at  me  and  said:  "Be 
brave,  my  boy;  you're  safe!"  How 
could  I  doubt  him?  But  those  howls 
spelled  death  to  my  child's  mind. 

Once  during  that  awful  period, 
when  the  howling  seemed  to  cease 
for  a  moment,  I  thought  of  the  morn- 
ing we  left,  and  seemed  to  realize 
that  I  was  the  cause  of  all  this.  Sure- 
ly my  youthful  enthusiasm  had 
proved  of  less  worth  than  my  father's 
judgment.  "O,"  I  cried,  my  spirit 
broken,  "God  save  us!"  The  prayer, 
taught  me  by  my  mother,  came  to  my 
heart,  and  I  felt  better:  I  ceased 
sobbing. 

Imagine  the  situation!  Two  mortals 
imprisoned  by  nature,  and  sur- 
rounded by  evil  spirits,  for  I  really 
believe  that  nothing  can  be  so  sug- 
gestive of  the  uncanny  evil  as  the 
howl  of  one  of  these  slinking  crea- 
tures! We  could  not  see  them,  not- 
withstanding the  strong  evidence  of 
their  presence.  Oh,  it  was  frightful! 
I  know  my  father  felt  it,  yet  he  may 
not  have  dreaded  death  as  I.  Be 
that  as  it  may,  he  clutched  his  crutch, 
as  if  all  he  asked  for  was  a  fair  chance. 

Sitting  thus,  it  seemed  for  hours, 
the  discordant  melody  appeared  to  be 
the  utterances  of  the  wall  around  us. 
Closer  and  closer  it  came.  The  horse 
that  we  were  leading  at  length  gave 
a  fearful  snort,  whirled  around,  threw 
off  the  quilts  we  had  placed'  on  his 
back,  then  dashed  out  into  the  ob- 
livion of  the  fog.  All  we  could  hear 
was  the  clink  of  his  harness,  with  now 
and  then  a  frightened  whinny,  which 
brought  our  horses'  ears  to  the  alert. 

A  moment  later,  a  black  demon 
came  rushing  towards  us  and  jumped 
at  my  horse's  head.  As  the  beast 
dropped  to  the  ground  again,  father 
leaned  forward  and  struck  it  fairly 
on  the  head  with  the  crutch.  It  fell 
on  its  side  and  twisted  a  moment,  then 
struggled  to  its  feet  again,  and  stag- 
gered out  to  its  invisible  comrades. 

(Continued  on  page  858) 


NOVEMBER  1956 


833 


The  Christ  Child  Is  Born 


(Continued  from  page  817) 

in  Hebron,  about  one  hundred  miles 
from  Nazareth,  and  seventeen  miles 
south  of  Jerusalem.  This  would  be 
by  the  shortest  route,  through  Sa- 
maria. If,  because  of  the  Jewish 
hatred  for  the  Samaritans  this  land 
was  to  be  avoided,  Mary  might  have 
crossed  the  Jordan  River  and  traveled 
through  the  land  of  Perea.  At  Betha- 
bara  she  would  have  recrossed  the 
river  at  or  near  the  place  where 
Joshua  and  the  children  of  Israel 
entered  the  Holy  Land  twelve  hun- 
dred years  earlier.  After  reaching 
Jericho  it  would  have  been  but  half- 
a-day's  journey  to  the  holy  city  of 
Jerusalem.  A  third  road  would  have 
taken  her  along  the  shores  of  the 
Mediterranean  Sea,  then  over  the 
mountains  of  Ephraim.  No  matter 
what  the  route,  it  seems  safe  to  as- 
sume that  she  went  the  fastest  pos- 
sible way. 

And  when  she  met  her  cousin,  what 
a  time  of  rejoicing  they  must  have 
had!  These  were  good  and  righteous 
people,  both  of  the  tribe  of  Levi,  and 
kept  all  of  the  commandments  of  God. 
Mary  was  glad  to  be  with  them. 

Elisabeth,  too,  had  a  marvelous 
story  to  tell.  Zacharias,  a  descendant 
of  Aaron,  was  a  priest,  and  at  given 
intervals  he  spent  time  in  the  temple 
at  Jerusalem  performing  the  functions 
of  his  office.  Much  to  his  joy  a  few 
months  before  Mary's  visit  he  had 
been  chosen  by  lot  to  perform  an  holy 
ordinance  burning  incense  in  the 
temple  at  Jerusalem.  This  ordinance, 
which  was  a  symbol  of  Israel's  prayers 
to  God,  was  so  sacred  that  no  priest 
was  permitted  to  do  it  more  than 
once.  On  the  day  appointed,  after 
the  assisting  priest  had  placed  the  hot 
coals  on  the  altar  in  the  Holy  Place, 
Zacharias  was  left  alone  to  pour  on 
the  incense  and  offer  the  accompany- 
ing prayer.  In  the  outer  court, 
separated  by  a  veil,  those  who  had 
come  to  worship  also  offered  their 
prayers  to  God. 

As  the  ordinance  was  being  per- 
formed a  wondrous  thing  happened! 
An  angel  appeared,  and  stood  on  the 
right  side  of  the  golden  altar.  Mary 
could  understand  how  Zacharias 
might  have  been  frightened,  even  as 
she  had  been  when  this  same  mes- 
senger had  come  to  her.  And  how 
familiar  the  words  of  the  angel  must 
have  sounded  when  she  heard  them 

834 


repeated.  He  had  said:  "Fear  not, 
Zacharias:  for  thy  prayer  is  heard; 
and  thy  wife  Elisabeth  shall  bear  thee 
a  son,  and  thou  shalt  call  his  name 
John. 

"And  thou  shalt  have  joy  and  glad- 
ness; and  many  shall  rejoice  at  his 
birth. 

"For  he  shall  be  great  in  the  sight 
of  the  Lord,  and  shall  drink  neither 
wine  nor  strong  drink;  and  he  shall 
be  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  even 
from  his  mother's  womb. 

"And  many  of  the  children  of  Is- 
rael shall  he  turn  to  the  Lord  their 
God. 

"And  he  shall  go  before  him  in 
the  spirit  and  power  of  Elias.  .  .    " 

It  is  easy  to  understand  why 
Zacharias  wondered  if  this  were  a 
real  angel  and  if  his  words  would 
actually  come  to  pass.  In  the  first 
place  the  priests  of  Israel  had  not  seen 
an  angel,  nor  had  any  direct  com- 
munication with  God  for  many  years. 
Then,  too,  both  he  and  his  wife  were 
old.    How  could  they  have  a  son? 

When  he  asked  the  angel,  "Where- 
by shall  I  know  this?  for  I  am  an  old 
man  and  my  wife  well  stricken  in 
years,"  the  angel  answered, 

"I  am  Gabriel,  that  stand  in  the 
presence  of  God;  and  am  sent  to  speak 
unto  thee,  and  to  shew  thee  these 
glad  tidings. 

"And,  behold,  thou  shalt  be  dumb, 
and  not  able  to  speak,  until  that 
day  that  these  things  shall  be  per- 
formed, because  thou  believest  not 
my  words,  which  shall  be  fulfilled  in 
their  season." 

After  Zacharias'  service  in  the  tem- 
ple was  completed,  he  returned  home 
and  doubtless  communicated  his  mar- 
velous experience  through  writing 
and  signs,  to  his  devoted  wife.  At 
the  time  of  Mary's  visit  he  still  could 
not  speak. 

Elisabeth  must  have  known  that 
the  Messiah  would  soon  be  born,  for 
the  angel  had  told  Zacharias  that 
their  son  was  to  be  a  forerunner  of 
him.  And  as  Mary  unfolded  her 
story  the  Holy  Ghost  testified  to 
Elisabeth  that  this,  her  young  cousin, 
was  to  be  the  mother  of  the  Lord. 
She  said:  "Blessed  art  thou  among 
women,  and  blessed  is  the  fruit  of 
thy  womb."  She  was  thrilled  be- 
yond measure  that  Mary  had  come  to 
visit  her. 

Mary's    response    was    a    beautiful 


song  of  praise  and  thanksgiving  that 
since  has  been  set  to  music  and  is 
sung  in  many  churches. 

For  about  three  months  Mary 
stayed  with  her  cousin.  The  records 
do  not  tell  us  whether  or  not  Mary 
was  still  in  Judea  when  Elisabeth 
gave  birth  to  her  son,  but  it  is  pleasant 
to  think  that  she  was.  At  any  rate, 
eight  days  after  the  boy  was  born, 
the  relatives  came,  according  to  cus- 
tom, and  began  calling  the  boy 
"Zacharias,"  after  his  father,  but 
Elisabeth  said  that  the  name  must  be 
John,  "the  gift  of  Jehovah."  The  rela- 
tives objected,  saying  that  the  name 
John  had  never  been  used  in  the 
family.  The  father  settled  the  matter 
by  writing  on  a  tablet,  "His  name  is 
John."  Immediately  Zacharias  re- 
gained his  voice,  and  being  filled  with 
the  Holy  Ghost,  prophesied  and 
praised  the  Lord. 

"And  they  marvelled,  all." 
Mary  must  have  returned  to  her 
home  in  Nazareth  with  much  fore- 
boding. What  would  she  tell  her 
friends  and  family?  Should  she  tell 
Joseph?  And  if  she  did,  would  he 
believe  her?  It  took  a  great  deal  of 
courage  to  return.  Still  there  was 
nothing  else  to  do. 

Being  espoused  to  a  man  among 
the  Jews  in  those  days  was  more  than 
what  we  know  as  an  engagement.  In 
some  ways  it  was  as  binding  as  mar- 
riage itself,  and  required  formal  pro- 
ceedings to  end  it.  When  Joseph 
learned  that  Mary  was  going  to  have 
a  child  he  considered  ending  his  re- 
lationship with  her  in  the  least  em- 
barrassing way,  until  an  angel  ap- 
peared to  him  in  a  dream  saying: 
"Joseph,  thou  son  of  David,  fear  not 
to  take  unto  thee  Mary  thy  wife:  for 
that  which  is  conceived  in  her  is  of 
the  Holy  Ghost. 

"And  she  shall  bring  forth  a  son, 
and  thou  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus: 
for  he  shall  save  his  people  from  their 
sins." 

What  joy  must  have  surged  through 
Mary's  soul  when  Joseph  took  her 
home  with  him  to  be  his  wife.  What 
a  comfort  that  the  Lord  had  sent  an 
angel  to  him,  too,  and  now  he  knew 
her  great  secret  and  could  share  her 
unspeakable  joys.  How  wonderful 
that  this  man  who  now  was  her  hus- 
band was  so  willing  to  become  the 
legal  father  of  her  baby  and  relieve 
her  of  any  shame  that  might  other- 
wise have  come  upon  her! 

(Continued  on  page  836) 
THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Tbuv  S/wjcuL  Qov&JiaqsL  fare 


NON-DRINKING  DHIVERS! 

PHEFERRED  RISK'S  NEW  PLUS  POLICY 


GIVES  TO  ALL  PREFERRED  RISK  POLICYHOLDERS: 


(1) 
(2) 
(3) 

PLUS- 

Plus 
Plus 

Plus 
Plus 
Plus 

Plus 
Plus 

Plus 

Plus 


New  "Family  Automobile  Policy"  protection 

Insurance  with  other  non-drinkers  only 

Low  starting  rates— with  possible   additional  savings  up  to  25%    on 
Preferred  Risk's  Merit  Reduction  Plan 


(1) 

(2) 

(3) 
(4) 
(5) 

(6) 

(?) 

(8) 
(9) 


Payment  for  Personal  Effects  stolen  from  car— up  to  $100 

Waiver  of  Attorney's  Fees  and  court  costs  for  suit  to  recover  for 
damages  to  your  car 


(10) 
(11) 


Payment  of  Emergency  Transportation  Expense  up  to  $25 

Payment  of  Emergency  Road  Service  charges  up  to  $25 

Payment    of    Emergency    Road    Service    charges    while    driving 
other  cars 

Collision   coverage   on  Temporary  Substitute  Automobile 

Full  Limits  Death  Benefit  (up  to  $2,000  per  person)  under  Medi- 
cal Payments  Coverage  on  insured  and/or  spouse 

Waiver  of  depreciation  on  new  car 

Waiver  of  Deductible  when  collision  is  with  another  Preferred 
Risk  policyholder.  (Not  applicable  in  Illinois) 

Waiver  of  Notice  of  Mortgage 

Waiver  of  Right  to  Repair 


Plus 
Plus 
Plus  (12)     Payment  of  premium  for  Bail  Bonds  up  to  $5,000 


DOES  YOUR 
PRESENT  POLICY 
PROVIDE  THIS? 

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MAIL  THIS   COUPON   NOW   (No  Obligation) 


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EXPIRES: 

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Year 


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Circle  Owner  of  This  Car  — 

and 
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"America's   First  Total  Abstainers 
Automobile    Insurance    Company* 


366  South  5th  East 

Suite  102-103,  Dept.  116 

Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 


366   SOUTH  5th   EAST,  SUITE   102-103,  DEPT.   116,   SALT  LAKE  CITY,   UTAH 

America's  First  Total  Abstainer's  Automobile  Insurance  Co. 


NOVEMBER  1956 


835 


QUESTIONS 

About  Saving  Money: 

1.  WHY  SAVE?  To  have  the  unequalled  pro- 
tection of  money  in  the  BANK  -  IMMEDIATELY  AVAIL- 
ABLE whenever  you  need  it  or  want  it. 

2.  HOW  TO  SAVE?    Keep  as  much  as  Pos- 

sible  of  your  income  —  of  every  dollar  you  get  —  and 
BANK   IT! 

3.  WHERE  TO  SAVE?  HERE  -  where  your 
money  is  handy,  fully  potected  and  —  to  repeat  — 
AVAILABLE  AT  ONCE,  whenever  it's  needed  or  wanted. 

We  Welcome  Your  Account 
2h°/°  Interest  on  Savings 


zion's  savings  bank 
&  Trust  Company 

DAVID  O.  McKAY,  PRESIDENT 
South  Temple  &  Main.  Salt  Lake  City  •  Member  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corp. 


mU 

Wake  Up  With  the  World! 


Pick  up  The  Salt  Lake  Tribune  from  your  doorstep, 
and  there  in  front  of  you  is  the  world,  the  west — YOUR 
Intermountain  West — and  your  community.  What  hap- 
pened last  night  in  Pakistan  is  as  clearly  told  to  you  as 
what  happened  in  the  P-T  A  meeting  at  your  neighborhood 
school.  You're  a  part  of  the  world  and  a  citizen  of  the 
Intermountain  West. 

You  step  out  on  the  street  knowing  that  your  whole 
day  will  be  one  of  awareness,  because  the  world  and  your 
own  neighborhood  have  been  brought  to  your  breakfast 
table  in  proper  perspective,  in  your  morning  copy  of 


The  Christ  Child  Is  Born 

(Continued  from  page  834) 

"V/foNTHS  had  passed,  and  the  time 
■'•'•*■  was  near  at  hand  for  the  baby 
to  be  born.  What  thoughts  must 
have  gone  through  Mary's  mind  as 
she  trudged  along  those  last  few  long 
miles  as  they  approached  the  wonder- 
ful old  city  of  Bethlehem!  Perhaps 
she  remembered  that  many  years  be- 
fore her  ancestor,  Jacob,  who  became 
Israel,  the  father  of  the  Twelve 
Tribes,  once  traveled  this  very  road 
with  his  family.  As  he  neared  the 
city  of  Bethlehem  the  time  arrived 
for  his  beloved  wife,  Rachel,  to  give 
birth  to  a  child.  And  near  this  very 
city  she  died  while  bringing  her  baby 
into  the  world.  Perhaps  Mary  won- 
dered if  she,  too,  would  remain  in 
Bethlehem  in  a  stone  tomb,  as  Rachel 
had. 

Surely  she  thought  of  King  David, 
who  had  been  born  here  and  who  as 
a  boy  had  wandered  the  nearby  hills, 
tending  his  father's  flocks.  And  in 
this  "city  of  David,"  while  still  a 
lad  he  had  been  anointed  by  the  great 
prophet  Samuel  to  be  king  of  Israel. 
How  appropriate  that  her  son  would 
be  born  here.  She  must  have  known 
that  the  Prophet  Micah  had  named 
this  city  as  the  birthplace  of  the  Mes- 
siah. 

The  last  mile  must  have  been  the 
hardest.  Perhaps  night  had  over- 
taken them,  and  it  is  likely  that  they 
were  the  last  travelers  on  the  road. 
How  long  seemed  the  steep  hill  that 
led  into  the  city  and  to  the  inn  where 
they  hoped  to  find  rest. 

But  alas,  the  inn  was  crowded  with 
travelers,  and  so  this  royal  couple 
found  refuge  in  a  stable  where  the 
animals  were  kept.  Tradition  points 
to  a  cave  as  the  sacred  spot,  and  this 
is  entirely  possible  as  there  are  numer- 
ous caves  in  the  limestone  hills  around 
the  city,  and  they  were  used  to  house 
animals. 

Just  where  the  place  was  and 
whether  it  was  a  cave  or  a  building 
are  not  important  to  us.  The  simple 
truth  is  that  Joseph  and  Mary  found 
accommodations  in  the  very  humblest 
of  circumstances. 

And  here  the  Christ  Child  was 
born! 

What  a  glorious  night!  How 
blessed  were  the  peoples  of  all  crea- 
tion! Never  had  the  world  witnessed 
an  event  as  important  and  momen- 
tous.   The  Son  of  God,  the  Creator  of 

(Concluded  on  page  838) 
THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Step  Up  to  a /^  JOHN  DEERE  TRACTOR  and  Enjoy 


New  power  to  turn  out  more  work  per  day  .  .  .  new  economy  to 
cut  costs  in  every  way  .  .  .  new  adaptability  to  handle  more  jobs 
more  conveniently  than  ever  before  .  .  .  new  ease  of  handling  to 
save  muscle  and  relieve  fatigue  in  the  field— that's  the  story  in  a 
nutshell  of  the  advantages  you'll  enjoy  with  a  new  John  Deere 
'520,"  "620,"  or  "720"  Tractor. 

Just  look  how  a  John  Deere  fills  the  bill  on  every  job.  New, 
more  powerful  engines  provide  the  heavy-duty  lugging  power  you 
need  at  tillage  time  .  .  .  new  Custom  Powr-Trol  offers 
you  a  choice  of  single  lift,  delayed  lift,  or  selective  lift  for 
easier,  faster,  better  work  with  cultivators  and  a  wide 
variety  of  other  integral  tools  .  .  .  the  new  Independent 
Power  Take-Off  and  the  1  y%  mph  "creeper"  gear  team  up 
to  handle  power- driven  equipment  efficiently  in  heavy 
crops.  The  versatile  new  John  Deere  Universal  3 -Point 
Hitch,  featuring  exclusive  Load-and-Depth  Control 
brings  you  modern  "pick  up  and  go"  farming  the  year- 
'round.  Advanced  Power  Steering,  new  Float-Ride  Seat, 
exclusive  Roll-O-Matic  "Knee-Action"  front  wheels  — 
these  are  just  a  few  of  many  other  features  available.  See 
your  John  Deere  dealer  soon  and  drive  a  new  "520," 
"620,"  or  "720"  Tractor. 


NEW  3-PLOW  520  SERIES 

Full  3-plow  tractors  available  with  gasoline  or  LP-Gas 
engines  and  a  variety  of  front-wheel  assemblies.  De- 
veloped approximately  36  belt  h.p.  in  factory  tests  on 
gasoline. 

NEW  4-PLOW  620  SERIES 

Heavy-duty  general-purpose  and  standard  tractors  which 
developed  approximately  48  belt  h.p.  in  factory  tests  on 
gasoline.  Also  available  with   LP-Gas  engine. 

NEW  5-PLOW  720  SERIES 

General-purpose  and  standard  models  with  choice  of 
gasoline,  LP-Gas,  or  Diesel  engine.  Developed  approxi- 
mately 58  belt  h.p.  in  factory  tests  on  gasoline. 


JOHN   DEERE 

MOLINE,    ILLINOIS 


NOVEMBER  1956 


837 


The  Christ  Child  Is  Born 


(Concluded  from  page  836) 
the  earth,  had  come  to  earth  in  the 
form  of  this  little  mortal  babe,  to  be 
its  teacher  and  Savior! 

How  Mary  must  have  wondered 
as  she  held  that  precious  little  bundle 
close  to  her.  Undoubtedly  she  did 
not  know  the  full  significance  of  what 
was  happening,  for  she  could  not 
have  understood  the  fulness  of  the 
great  plan  of  salvation. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  the 
Bible  only  a  few  brief  verses  are  de- 
voted to  the  great  happenings  of  this 
most  holy  of  all  nights.  Yet  these 
are  among  the  sweetest  and  the  great- 
est words  that  have  ever  been  writ- 


ten. They  can  easily  be  committed 
to  memory  in  a  short  time.  Such  a 
great  treasure  should  be  in  our  hearts 
and  minds  so  we  can  recall  it  often: 

"And  she  brought  forth  her  first- 
born son,  and  wrapped  him  in  swad- 
dling clothes,  and  laid  him  in  a  man- 
ger; because  there  was  no  room  for 
them  in  the  inn. 

"And  there  were  in  the  same  coun- 
try shepherds  abiding  in  the  field, 
keeping  watch  over  their  flock  by 
night. 

"And,  lo,  the  angel  of  the  Lord 
came  upon  them,  and  the  glory  of 
the  Lord  shone  round  about  them: 
and  they  were  sore  afraid. 


"And  the  angel  said  unto  them, 
Fear  not:  for,  behold,  I  bring  you 
good  tidings  of  great  joy,  which  shall 
be  to  all  people. 

"For  unto  you  is  born  this  day  in 
the  city  of  David  a  Saviour,  which  is 
Christ  the  Lord. 

"And  this  shall  be  a  sign  unto  you; 
Ye  shall  find  the  babe  wrapped  in 
swaddling  clothes,  lying  in  a  manger. 

"And  suddenly  there  was  with  the 
angel  a  multitude  of  the  heavenly 
host  praising  God,  and  saying, 

"Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and 
on    earth    peace,    good    will    toward 
men." 
(Next  Month:  The  Child  Grows) 


■  ♦  > 


Relief  Society  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints 


(Concluded  from  page  799) 
'T^he  Society  has  always  encouraged 
■"■  music,  both  congregational  and 
choral  singing.  Almost  every  local 
Society  now  has  a  chorus  of  singing 
mothers  which  provides  music  for 
special  gatherings.  Great  cultural  up- 
lift and  a  moving  power  for  good 
are  expressed  in  this  vast  army  of 
singing  women. 

The  educational,  cultural,  and  wel- 
fare activities  of  the  Society  have  a 
marked  influence  upon  the  lives  and 
characters  of  Relief  Society  members, 
broadening  their  outlooks,  deepening 
their  appreciations,  developing  their 
talents,  increasing  their  abilities,  and 
enlarging  their  souls.  It  makes  of 
them  happy,  well-adjusted  women, 
who  live  purposeful  and  useful  lives. 

At  various  periods  throughout  its 
history,  Relief  Society  has  engaged 
in  special  activities  important  to  the 
time;  for  example,  in  the  early  days 
the  sisters  erected  Relief  Society  halls, 
promoted  home  industry,  engaged  in 
sericulture  and  grain  saving.  The 
early  Relief  Society  leaders  were  ac- 
tive supporters  and  effective,  conspic- 
uous figures  in  the  National  Woman 
Suffrage  movement,  and  Relief  So- 
ciety sent  delegates  regularly  to  the 
National  Suffrage  conventions  to  lend 
support  to  this  great  cause.  Latter- 
day  Saint  women  rejoiced  with  other 
women  of  America  when  complete 
suffrage  was  given  to  women  citizens 
of  the  United  States  on  August  29, 
1920. 

In  1891  Relief  Society,  with  the 
advice  of  President  Wilford  Woodruff, 

838 


became  a  charter  member  of  the  Na- 
tional Council  of  Women.  It  still 
continues  as  a  member  of  this  coun- 
cil, through  which  it  enjoys  affiliation 
with  the  International  Council  of 
Women. 

T^he  women  of  the  Church .  have 
■*-  published  a  magazine  since  1872. 
The  Woman's  Exponent,  the  first 
publication  owned  and  printed  by 
Latter-day  Saint  women  and  the  sec- 
ond woman's  publication  west  of  the 
Mississippi  River,  was  first  issued 
June  1,  1872.  The  Exponent  ceased 
publication  in  1914  and  was  succeeded 
by  the  Relief  Society  Magazine,  a 
monthly  periodical  which  continues 
to  serve  the  Society  as  its  official 
publication. 

Relief  Society  is  now  growing  rapid- 
ly in  size  and  influence.  According 
to  the  1955  annual  report,  there  are 
at  the  present  time  223  stake  and  42 
mission  organizations,  with  a  total 
of  3,736  local  Societies.  There  are 
163,513  members  enrolled  in  the  So- 
ciety. During  1955  there  were  2,797,- 
264  visits  made  to  the  homes  by 
65,512  visiting  teachers.    There  were 


INDIAN  SHUTTLE  SONG 

By  Lael  W.  Hill 

TVTow  scarlet  leaves 

And  goldly  ripened  sheaves 
Are  woven  through  days 
Brown  with  pihon  nuts,  and  grays 
Of  early  dusk,  designed  with  care 
To  be  a  blanket  for  autumnal  prayer. 


13,462  class  leaders  engaged  in 
teaching  the  courses  of  study.  Com- 
passionate welfare  services  showed  a 
marked  increase  in  1955  with  247,878 
visits  to  the  sick  and  homebound  and 
25,510  full  days'  care  of  the  sick. 
Countless  hours  of  service  were  given 
by  Relief  Society  women  on  Church 
welfare  projects,  and  11,093  visits 
were  made  by  Relief  Society  presi- 
dents to  families  in  need,  under  the 
direction  of  the  bishops. 

Relief  Society  has  realized  the  ful- 
filment of  a  dream  of  Relief  Society 
sisters  of  the  past  as  well  as  the 
present — the  dedication  of  a  Relief 
Society  building  in  Salt  Lake  City. 
With  the  approval  of  the  First 
Presidency  of  the  Church  and  the 
sustaining  vote  of  the  Relief  Society 
members  in  attendance  at  the  annual 
general  conference  of  the  Society, 
October  4,  1945,  the  erection  of  the 
building  was  officially  sanctioned.  The 
building,  which  is  now  completed, 
will  house  the  general  offices  of  the 
Society;  it  will  stand  as  a  memorial  to 
the  enlightened  concept  of  the  Proph- 
et Joseph  Smith  when  he  inaugurated 
by  divine  inspiration  this  ennobling 
work  for  women;  it  will  be  a  symbol 
to  all  people  of  the  lofty  position  ac- 
corded the  faithful  daughters  of  our 
Heavenly  Father  in  the  gospel  plan. 

Relief  Society  was  divinely  inspired 
and  is  a  greatly  blessed  organization 
for  women,  being  organized  under 
the  priesthood  and  after  a  pattern 
of  the  priesthood — the  only  woman's 
society  so  organized  in  the  world 
today. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


YOURSELF  i«*h* 


Sf^ac 


This  is  really  living — in  a  great  big  way.  Luxurious  surroundings 

.  .  .  smart,  colorful  styling  .  .  .  large  dome  windows  and 

restful  divan  seats  placed  at  an  angle  for  easier  viewing  .  .  . 

superb  accommodations  .  .  .  and  fine,  fresh,  appetizing  food  ! 

Don't  put  it  off  a  day  longer.  Call  your  Union  Pacific  Railroad 

ticket  agent — tell  him  where  you're  planning  to  go — 

and  he'll  tell  you  how  little  it  costs  on  a  Domeliner. 

Yes,  little — actually  less  than  driving  your  own  car  .  .  . 

and  certainly  a  great  deal  more  relaxing. 

It's  smart,  it's  economical,  it's  fun  to  ride  the  Domeliners ! 


THREE  FABULOUS  DOMELINERS: 

"City  of  Los  Angeles"  and  The  "Challenger" 
.  .  .  between  Los  Angeles  and  Chicago. 

"City  of  Portland" 
.  .  .  between  Portland  and  Chicago. 


Avoid  driving  worries.  If  a  car  is  needed, 
your  ticket  agent  can  arrange  for  a  fine 
Hertz  Drive-Yourself  car  to  meet  you. 

For  details,  reservations,  or  help  with 
your  travel  plans,  see  your  nearest 
Union  Pacific  Railroad  ticket  agent. 


UNION  PACIFIC  AND  ALL  HERTZ  AGENCIES 
HONOR  KAIL  TRAVEL  CREDIT  CARDS 


Union    Pacific    Railroad 


NOVEMBER  1956 


839 


(0'^X3^\^;>«^X>^3sJS£K3s£K^^ 


It's  great  fun  for  groups 

going  to  the  big  games, 

conventions,  outings 

Everybody  has  a  better  time, 
going  together  in  a  pri- 
vate, modern  coach, 
with  a  skilled  driver 
who  takes  you  where 
you  want  to  go, 
wften  you  want  to  go 
at  very  low  cost! 

Call  your  local 
Greyhound  Agent 

GREYHOUND 
CHARTER  SERVICE 


GET  YOUR  WARD  MOVIES    FROM 

HILLAMS 

•  500  FREE  sponsored  films. 

•  200  religious,  including 
"Oliver  Cowdery"  and 
"Choice  Land."  Rental 
rates  reduced! 

•  200  Entertainment  Films. 

HILLAMS  FILMS 


54  P.  O.  PLACE 
SALT  LAKE  CITY,    UTAH 


^Jruw   the    ilakt  Id   Sweet  .  .  . 


f 


f 


Richard  L.  Evans 


T^here  is  in  Ecclesiastes,  a  significant  short  sentence  that 
■*■  suggests  a  subject:  "Truly  the  light  is  sweet,  and  a 
pleasant  thing  it  is  for  the  eyes  to  behold  the  sun."1  "Truly 
the  light  is  sweet" — and  if  one  need  any  convincing  of  it,  he 
need  only  wrestle  with  problems,  with  worries,  in  the  doubt 
and  discouragement  that  sometimes  come  with  darkness. 
"Truly  the  light  is  sweet" — and  one  lesson  we  all  have  to 
learn  is  to  wait  at  times  for  the  light — to  wait  for  the  light 
in  making  decisions,  to  wait  for  the  light  in  appraising  the 
seriousness  of  symptoms,  to  wait  for  the  light  in  assessing 
any  situation — for  darkness  can  and  does  distort.  All  people 
have  their  problems  and  perhaps  almost  all  people  have 
periods  of  despondency  of  spirit — when  the  weight  and  the 
worry  seem  almost  more  than  they  can  carry.  And  usually 
the  same  problems  seem  heavier  in  darkness  than  they  do 
in  daylight.  In  darkness,  problems  have  a  way  of  becoming' 
confused.  In  darkness  symptoms  have  a  way  of  magnifying 
themselves.  In  darkness  our  judgment  may  be  distorted 
in  many  matters.  When  our  loved  ones — our  children — 
are  overdue  at  night,  the  things  we  sometimes  think  could 
have  occurred  can  cause  acute  mental  and  emotional  distress. 
Darkness  quickens  morbid  imaginings  and  sometimes  makes 
unsolved  problems  seem  unsolvable.  Nighttime  has  its  place. 
It  has  its  own  kind  of  quiet,  its  covering  quality,  its  time  for 
sleep  and  for  the  renewing  of  energies  for  the  next  day.  But 
when  worries  become  intermixed  with  the  dark  imaginings  of 
night,  sleep  leaves,  and  so  does  peace;  and  so  sometimes  does 
faith — and  anguish  enters  in.  Whatever  else  its  uses,  what- 
ever else  can  be  said  for  the  darkness  of  night,  decisions 
should  not  be  dictated  by  darkness.  And  in  times  of  sorrow, 
in  times  of  despair  and  despondency,  we  should  hold  on 
in  faith,  from  hour  to  hour,  if  need  be,  and  wait  for  the 
light  to  return — and  make  no  commitments  in  the  distor- 
tion of  darkness.  "Truly  the  light  is  sweet,  and  a  pleasant 
thing  it  is  for  the  eyes  to  behold  the  sun."  Both  in  the 
confidence  of  youth,  and  in  the  caution  and  discourage- 
ment of  more  maturity,  light  must  be  an  element  in  all 
safe  thinking,  in  all  safe  decisions. 

Like  ^Spoken     Word       from  temple  square 

PRESENTED  OVER  KSL  AND  THE  COLUMBIA  BROADCASTING 
SYSTEM,  AUGUST  26,    1956 

Copyright   1956 


'Ecclesiastes  11:7. 

THE   DAY  WITHDRAWS 
By  Laban  Thomas  Johnston 

'TPhe  cooling  shades  have  spread  like  liquid 

stains 
Across   the   fields.     Only  the   rock-rimmed 

wall 
That  guards  the  east  horizon  now  retains 
The   yellow   robe   a  morning   sun   let   fall. 
The  breeze  no  longer  stirs  to  liquefy 
The  heavy-headed  wheat.     Dull  lamps  are 

showing. 
From  distant  heights  the  quail  cock  sends 

his  cry, 


840 


And  in  their  stalls  the  unmilked  cows  are 
lowing. 

These  sounds  have  made  the  twilight  hour 

complete, 
And   now   the    droning  scythe   is   strangely 

hushed, 
Even  the  yellow  leaves  beneath  our  feet 
Whisper  their  vain  protest  at  being  crushed, 
For    one    enchanted    moment    night    must 

pause 
While    leisurely    the    outworn    day    with- 
draws. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Kennecott's  Bingham  Mine  was 
established  in  1904  on  a  revolution- 
ary principle— mass  mining  and  proc- 
essing of  low  grade  ore.  Many 
mining  men  scoffed  at  working  with 
2%  ore.  Despite  this,  a  new  mine  was 
born. 

But  even  2%  ore  didn't  last  long. 
In  10  years  the  copper  content  of  the 
ore  was  down  to  V/2%.  In  20  years  it 
dropped  to  1%.  Today,  Kennecott  is 
mining  ore  that  averages  only  82 
hundredths  of  one  per  cent. 

By  standards  of  the  past,  the 
Bingham  Mine  should  have  died 
many  times.  But  like  the  cat  with 
nine  lives,  it's  still  very  much  alive. 
It  continues  to  be  the  greatest 
copper  mine  in  the  world,  producing 


about  a  quarter  of  the  nation's 
newly  mined  copper. 

Through  the  years,  new  methods, 
greater  efficiency  and  better  equip- 
ment have  turned  into  ore,  millions 
of  tons  of  material  that  was  once 
waste.  The  life  of  the  mine  has  been 
lengthened. 

Kennecott  continues  to  try  to 
lengthen  the  mine's  life  by  practic- 
ing good  conservation.  Research 
projects  seek  methods  for  recovering 
more  copper  from  low  grade  ore- 
millions  of  dollars  are  plowed  back 
into  the  business  for  new  and  better 
equipment. 

Lengthening  the  life  of  the  Bing- 
ham Mine  means  a  longer  life  for 
the  benefits  of  Kennecott's  opera- 
tions that  help  bring  prosperity  to 
our  entire  state. 


Kennecott  Copper  Corporation 


'A  Good  Neighbor  Helping  to  Build  a  Better  Utah" 


NOVEMBER  1956 


841 


From  a  little  Rock  Church  to  the  World 


(Concluded  from  page  807) 
dren  attending  Primary  in  the  stakes 
and  5,567  in  the  missions.     Serving 
as  teachers  are  42,071  devoted  women. 

One  hundred  forty-nine  stakes  and 
seven  missions  have  Cub  packs.  Of 
the  12,741  eleven-year-old  boys  in 
the  Church,  eighty -eight  percent  are 
taking  their  first  year  of  scouting  in 
the  Guide  patrols. 

The  objectives  of  the  Primary  are: 

1.  To  teach  the  children  to  pray. 

2.  To  prepare  children  for  baptism 
and  membership  in  the  Church. 

3.  To  teach  the  gospel  effectively 
and  in  an  interesting  way. 

4.  To  prepare  girls  for  home  build- 
ing. 

5.  To  prepare  boys  to  receive  the 
priesthood. 

The  Primary  has  always  considered 
the  responsibility  of  preparing  the 
boys  to  receive  the  Aaronic  Priest- 
hood one  of  its  most  sacred  trusts. 

Speaking  at  a  Primary  conference, 
Bishop  Joseph  L.  Wirthlin  said:  "I 
bring  you  the  heartfelt  appreciation 
of  the  Presiding  Bishopric,  and  all 
the  bishoprics  of  the  Church,  for  the 
excellent  work  you  are  doing  in  pre- 
paring boys  to  receive  the  Aaronic 
Priesthood.  This  is  the  only  auxiliary 
in  the  Church  that  has  the  specific 
assignment '  to  prepare  young  men 
to  receive  the  restored  priesthood  of 
the  Lord   Jesus  Christ." 

The  Primary  program  is  a  logical 
development  of  the  gospel  plan  on 
a  level  that  a  child  can  understand. 
During  the  first  years  of  his  life  the 
seed  of  faith  in  God  is  planted  in  his 
heart.  He  is  taught  to  pray.  Then 
he  is  taught  the  importance  of  baptism 
and  the  story  of  the  restoration.  He 
studies  the  life  of  Christ,  which  is 
presented  as  an  example  for  him  to 
follow.  Through  a  study  of  the  Arti- 
cles of  Faith  the  boys  and  girls  are 
given  a  foundation  of  what  the 
Church   believes. 

Officers  and  teachers  need  the  co- 
operation of  parents  if  the  Primary 
is  to  fulfil  its  purposes  successfully. 
Parent-Primary  partnership  is  essen- 
tial. The  Primary  can  only  supple- 
ment the  teachings  of  the  home. 

rPo  strengthen  the  Primary-parent 
A  relationship  and  to  provide  rec- 
reation for  the  boys  and  girls,  various 
activities  have  been  included  in  the 
program.  In  January,  the  "Daddy 
Date"  is  a  high  light  in  the  lives  of 

842 


the  girls  and  their  fathers.  During 
national  Scout  week  in  February, 
Guides  have  a  fun  night  with  their 
dads.  The  Home  Builder  Holiday  in 
June  affords  a  get-together  for  the 
Larks,  Bluebirds,  Seagulls,  and  their 
mothers.  July  is  the  anniversary 
month  of  the  Trail  Builder  program. 
To  celebrate,  a  Fun-da-lay  is  held. 
The  parents  join  in  the  frolic  and  get 
better    acquainted    with    their    sons. 

To  answer  a  long-felt  need,  the 
Primary  has  instigated  a  program  to 
promote  reverence.  Throughout  the 
year  standards  are  introduced,  and 
the  children  are  encouraged  to  make 
them  a  part  of  their  daily  lives.  They 
are  taught  to  honor  their  Heavenly 
Father,  to  respect  the  house  of  the 
Lord,  to  obey  their  parents  and 
leaders,  and  to  be  kind  to  their 
friends.  Each  standard  is  emphasized 
with  a  verse  of  scripture  which  the 
children  memorize;  for  example,  the 
standard  for  September  and  October 
1956,  was:  Reverence  for  our  Heav- 
enly Father.  The  scripture  was:  "The 
Lord  our  God  will  we  serve,  and  his 
voice  will  we  obey."  (Joshua  24:24.) 

Elder  Hugh  B.  Brown  says:  "Rever- 
ence is  an  attitude  of  heart  and  mind 
expressed  in  conduct."  The  Primary 
wants  all  children  to  get  this  attitude. 
True  reverence  entails  communion 
with  our  Heavenly  Father,  feeling  his 
nearness,  having  his  Spirit. 

The  Children's  Friend  is  published 
by  the  Primary  Association  and  is  the 
voice  of  the  Church  to  the  children. 
This  magazine  has  grown  from  a  few 
hundred  subscriptions    to    a   circula- 


tion of  over  105,000.  Today  it  is 
given  a  top  rating  among  children's 
magazines. 

One  of  the  most  important  projects 
sponsored  by  the  Primary  Association 
is  the  Primary  Children's  Hospital. 
The  first  hospital  was  opened  and 
dedicated  by  President  Heber  J. 
Grant  in  1922.  The  beautiful,  mod- 
ern structure  used  today  was  occu- 
pied by  the  patients  February  12  and 
dedicated  March  2,  1952,  by  President 
McKay.  The  objective  of  the  hospi- 
tal is  to  help  children  who  can  be 
cured  or  rehabilitated  to  become  nor- 
mal, useful  citizens.  The  hospital 
serves  any  eligible  child  under  twelve 
years  of  age  without  regard  to  race, 
color,  or  creed.  Children  come  from 
all  parts  of  the  United  States,  Can- 
ada, Hawaii,  and  Mexico.  At  the 
present  time  there  is  a  young  patient 
from  Tonga. 

The  Primary  Children's  Hospital 
admitted  seven  hundred  thirty-three 
patients  in  1955,  and  there  were 
2,456  outpatient  visits.  During  the 
first  seven  months  of  this  year,  506 
children  have  been  admitted,  and 
there  have  been  1,690  outpatient 
visits. 

Although  the  Primary  program  has 
undergone  many  phases  of  develop- 
ment in  its  seventy-eight  years  of 
growth,  never  have  the  ideals  and 
purposes  for  which  it  was  organized 
been  forgotten.  Teaching  the  gos- 
pel of  Jesus  Christ  to  boys  and  girls 
has  always  been  the  motivating  force, 
and  those  who  have  inaugurated 
changes  have  done  so  confident  that 
the  change  would  be  a  means  of 
better  achieving  the  Primary  objec- 
tives. 


The  Young  Women's  Mutual  Improvement  Association 


(Continued  from  page  805) 
among  young  Latter-day  Saint 
its  stamp  on  the  organization  to  make 
women.  To  enumerate  all  of  the  ac- 
complishments, would  be  wearying 
even  if  it  were  possible  to  do  so,  but 
each  year  has  brought  additional  in- 
spiration to  make  the  program  better 
suited  and  more  enjoyable  to  the 
young  women  of  the  Church. 

Sister  Elmina  S.  Taylor  was  the 
first  general  president  of  the  YWMIA, 
serving  in  that  capacity  from  June 
19,  1880,  until  her  passing,  December 
6,  1904.  Hers  was  the  phenomenal 
task  of  organizing  the  auxiliary 
throughout  the  Church.     One  of  the 


difficult  tasks  was  encouraging  the 
women  to  assume  their  positions  be- 
fore the  public.  On  one  occasion  she 
instructed  the  officers,  "When  young 
lady  officers  are  asked  to  preside  or 
sit  on  the  stand,  they  should  accept 
such  invitation,  no  matter  if  it  be  a 
trial."  That  it  was  a  trial  is  clearly 
evidenced  throughout  the  early  days 
of  YWMIA.  Gifted  as  these  women 
were,  they  felt  that  their  specific 
qualifications  did  not  prepare  them 
for  public  appearances. 

Martha  Home  Tingey  was  the  sec- 
ond general  president  and  was   fol- 
lowed by  Ruth  May  Fox,  who  was 
(Concluded  on  page  844) 
THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Your  Savings  Account  has  a  big  job  to  do! 


higher  earnings  mean  bigger 
dividends  in  family  happiness! 

In  any  average  family  there  are  a  lot  of  dreams  to  be 
fulfilled  and  the  family  savings  account  is  usually  called  upon 
to  do  the  job.  It  stands  to  reason  that  higher  earnings  now 
will  help  your  family  realize  its  dreams  sooner.  You  can  earn 
more  with  safety,  too;  37  years  of  continuous  service  is  good  evi- 
dence that  your  money  is  safely   and  wisely  invested. 

WITHDRAWAL   REQUESTS    PROMPTLY   HONORED. 


PER 
ANNUM 


COMPOUNDED 
SEMI-ANNUALLY 

STATE 
SUPERVISION 


OPEN  A  SAVE-BY-MAIL  ACCOUNT  -  Savings  Postmarked  by  the  20th  Earn  from  the  First! 


UTAH  SAYIIGS 


AND  LOAN  ASSOCIATION 

65   NORTH   UNIVERSITY  AVE.  -  PROVO,   UTAH 
NOVEMBER  1956 


lAHi  SAYIIGS 


AND  LOAN  ASSOCIATION 

NINTH   AND  JEFFERSON  -  BOISE,   IDAHO 

843 


The  Young  Women's  Mutual  Improvement  Association 


(Concluded  from  page  842) 
succeeded  by  Lucy  Grant  Cannon, 
whom  I  followed  as  general  president. 
Each  of  the  presidents  put  uppermost 
in  her  position  the  calling  to  help 
build  lives  of  lasting  happiness  among 
the  girls  with  whom  they  labored. 
The  YWMIA  has  been  carried  for- 
ward by  the  valiant  work  of  the 
countless  thousands  of  officers  and 
teachers  in  the  wards  and  stakes  who 
take  the  manuals  and  handbooks  and 
translate  them  into  living  words  of 
truth.  Not  enough  can  be  said  of  the 
diligence  and  faith  of  these  workers 
at  the  grass  roots  of  the  association. 
They  seek  out  the  lost;  they  interest 
the  weak;  they  bring  back  to  activity 
the  inactive. 

If  there  is  anything  that  should  be 
said  of  the  administration  of  the  past 


eight  years,  it  is  that  the  dream  of  the 
current  presidency — that  the  YWMIA 
must  account  for  every  girl  in 
ward  from  the  ages  of  12  to  18  in- 
clusive— has  been  realized.  When 
this  assignment  was  turned  to  the 
presidency,  the  "girls'  program"  was 
formulated,  which  actually  is  the 
YWMIA.  This  program  has  prodded 
each  class  leader  and  each  YWMIA 
officer  to  account  for  every  girl  in 
each  class  in  the  ward.  It  has  been 
a  source  of  the  keenest  satisfaction 
that  we  have  evolved  plans  whereby 
each  girl  in  every  ward  and  stake  is 
accounted  for.  The  stakes  have  been 
impressed  with  the  necessity  of  en- 
couraging the  girls  in  their  attend- 
ance, not  only  at  YWMIA,  but  also 
at  Sacrament  meeting  and  at  Sunday 
School. 


The  Young  Men's  Mutual  Improvement  Association 


(Concluded  from  page  803) 
Young  Men's  and  Young  Ladies'  Mu- 
tual Improvement  Associations  of  the 
Latter-day  Saints."  Elder  Wells  was 
at  the  helm  of  this  valuable  maga- 
zine for  the  seventeen  years  of  its 
existence,  the  last  issue  of  The  Con- 
tributor being  October  1896.  Then 
for  a  year  the  YMMIA  had  no  maga- 
zine. In  November  1897,  The  Im- 
provement Era  began  publication, 
with  Joseph  F.  Smith  and  B.  H. 
Roberts  as  editors,  and  Heber  J.  Grant 
as  business  manager.  The  Era  has 
alwavs  had  a  member  of  the  First 
Presidency  as  its  editor,  and  since 
1901,  the  President  of  the  Church  has 
been  so  designated.  Beginning  in 
November  1929,  the  Era  was  com- 
bined with  the  Young  Woman's 
Journal,  a  publication  that  had 
served  the  Young  Women's  Mutual 
since  1889.  Since  that  time  the  Era 
has  served  the  Church,  as  well  as 
the  Mutuals,  as  a  general  magazine. 

An  early  activity  of  the  YMMIA 
was  the  calling  of  full-time  mission- 
aries who  went  from  community  to 
community,  laboring  with  young 
men,  striving  with  and  encouraging 
them  to  do  better.  Elder  George 
Albert  Smith,  later  an  apostle,  gen- 
eral superintendent  of  the  YMMIA, 
and  President  of  the  Church,  filled 
his  first  call  to  the  mission  field  in 
just  that  way. 

The  YMMIA  and  the  Church  have 
844 


an  enviable  record  in  the  field  of 
scouting.  After  careful  investigation, 
beginning  in  1910,  we  applied  for  a 
charter.  The  charter  is  dated  May 
21,  1913,  and  is  the  first  charter 
granted  by  the  Boy  Scouts  of  America 
to  a  church  sponsored  organization. 
The  percentage  of  LDS  boys  who  are 
trained  in  scouting  is  consistently 
high. 

Since  the  end  of  World  War  II 
America  has  been  appalled  by  this 
thing  called  juvenile  delinquency. 
Still,  thinking  persons  everywhere 
know  that  it  is  just  a  small  portion 
of  the  youth  of  today  who  are  giving 
the  rest  the  bad  name.  In  the  slightly 
more  than  a  decade  since  the  end  of 
World  War  II,  our  YMMIA  has 
grown  phenomenally  with  the  Church 
as  it  has  worked  with  the  youth,  add- 
ing to  its  program  a  variety  of  activi- 
ties, such  as  junior  basketball,  volley- 
ball, and  track  tournaments.  On 
August  31,  1945,  YMMIA  enrolment 
was  49,367;  today  it  is  158,619. 

So  the  YMMIA  has  grown  from 
humble  beginnings  to  its  present  posi- 
tion. It  is  true  that  an  organization 
is  effective  only  as  it  touches  the  lives 
of  individuals,  and  we  believe  that  we 
have  touched  the  lives  of  many  indi- 
viduals for  good.  Every  worker  who 
has  caught  the  spirit  of  YMMIA  can 
bear  testimony  to  that.  But  statistics 
are  interesting,  and  here  are  some 
of    our    latest    statistics:     enrolment, 


A  second  desire  of  the  current 
presidency  has  been  to  provide  every 
girl  with  a  camping  experience.  Each 
succeeding  year  has  seen  greater  par- 
ticipation in  this  activity.  During  the 
1956  season  approximately  26,000 
members  of  the  YWMIA  have  had 
the  thrill  of  attending  camp. 

I  cannot  close  this  brief  article  on 
the  YWMIA  without  bearing  testi- 
mony to  the  wonderful  work  of  my 
predecessors  in  the  organization  and 
expressing  gratitude  to  my  counselors 
and  associates  for  the  work  that  they 
do  continually  to  help  bring  the 
daughters  of  Zion  safely  back  to  our 
Heavenly  Father. 

The  inspiration  behind  the  YWMIA 
is  daily  demonstrated  in  the  lives 
of  the  young  daughters  of  Zion 
who  are  led  in  paths  of  righteousness 
toward  eternal  joy  through  its  spir- 
itualized program  of  lesson  work  and 
recreation. 


158,619;  participating  in  drama, 
53,871*;  participating  in  vocal  music, 
84,283*;  participating  in  instrumental 
music,  13,211*;  participating  in  bas- 
ketball, approximately  26,000;  partici- 
pating in  volleyball,  approximately 
8,250;  participating  in  softball,  ap- 
proximately 25,100;  gold  and  green 
balls,  1,513*;  ward  dances  on  MIA 
nights,  9,767*;  ward  dances  other 
nights,  1,394*;  ward  speech  contests, 
1,174*;  participating  in  speech  con- 
tests, 5,735*;  participating  in  speech 
(other  than  contests),  40,711.* 


Extensive  research  by  many  friends  of  the  Mutual 
over  a  long  period  of  years  has  brought  to  light 
the  fact  that  there  were  many  LDS  organizations 
of  young  people  formed  before  the  YMMIA  was 
organized  in  1875.  Many  of  them  no  doubt  con- 
tributed something  to  the  first  YMMIA  organiza- 
tion. An  incomplete  list  of  these  organizations  fol- 
lows: In  the  days  of  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith,  in 
January  1843,  at  Nauvoo,  a  "Young  Gentlemen  and 
Ladies  Relief  Society"  was  organized,  and  it  is  be- 
lieved that  the  Prophet  attended  two  and  perhaps 
more  of  the  meetings.  Meeting  with  the  Mutual 
general  board  in  1900,  Elder  Heber  J.  Grant  said 
that  the  movement  commenced  as  early  as  1852.  In 
1854-55  Elder  Lorenzo  Snow  had  organized  the 
Polysophical  Society.  President  Joseph  F.  Smith  once 
recalled  in  the  Era  (October  1907)  a  letter  he  had 
recently  received,  indicating  that  in  the  fall  of  1853, 
President  Heber  C.  Kimball  called  George  Gardner, 
a  blacksmith  near  Mfll  Creek,  to  "take  the  lead  and 
call  to  your  assistance  the  best  help  you  can  find. 
Then  I  want  you  to  hunt  up  all  the  young  men  in 
and  around  the  Church  Farm,  Mill  Creek,  and  Can- 
yon Creek,  and  get  them  together  at  least  once  a 
week,  and  get  them  on  their  feet  bearing  testimony 
to  the  truth  of  the  gospel."  Among  the  young  men 
named  by  President  Kimball  as  prospective  members 
were  John  Smith  and  Joseph  F.  Smith,  future  Patriarch 
to   the   Church   and    President   of   the   Church. 

There  was  an  organization  in  Springville,  Utah,  in 
the  spring  of  1866.  In  Salt  Lake  City  were  these 
organizations:  Twentieth  Ward  Institute,  which'  was 
organized  December  30,  1873;  another  popular  society 
in  the  Sixteenth  Ward;  the  Sixth  Ward  Instructive 
Association,  organized  in  1873;  the  Tenth  Ward 
Young  Men's  Literary  Association,  organized  January 
12,  1874;  the  Young  Men's  Association  of  the  Thir- 
teenth Ward,  organized  March  10,  1874.  There  had 
also  been  a  society  in  the  Fourteenth  Ward  several 
years  earlier  than  these  just  named.  And  there  were 
probably  other  ward  organizations  in  Salt  Lake  City. 
On  April  20,  1873,  another  similar  organization  was 
founded  in  Ogden,  Utah,  at  the  home  of  Elder 
Franklin    D.    Richards   of   the   Council    of   the   Twelve. 

"Jointly    with    YWMIA. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


New  Standard  plant  foods  help  the  West 
produce  better  meals  at  less  cost 


".  j.v  if'1' 


Broadcasting  of  Standard's  new  uniform  chemically  blended  plant  food 
by  airplane  can  turn  sparse  hilly  acres  into  rich  pasture  for  livestock 

RICHER  SOIL  means  better  crops,  yet  the  West  has  never  had 
enough  soil-building  fertilizer.  To  help  meet  farmers'  needs, 
Standard  opens  a  $16  million  plant  next  month  which  will  pro- 
duce petroleum-derived  plant  food*  in  pellet  form  for  Western 
soils  and  crops. 

This  uniform  blend  of  essential  plant  growth  elements  is  so  effec- 
tive that  400  pounds  on  an  acre  of  grassland  often  enables  it  to 
feed  3  to  5  times  more  livestock.  On  other  crops,  too,  it  increases 
profits  per  acre.  With  this  better  use  of  Western  land,  your  family 
will  get  tastier,  more  nourishing  meals  for  every  budget  dollar. 


food  production  must  increase 

35%  to  feed  the  26</z  million 
people  who'll  live  here  by  1965 


"One  of  many  ORTHO  PLANT  FOODS,  made  and  sold  by  Standard's  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  California  Spray-Chemical  Corp. 

STANDARD   OIL  COMPANY  OF   CALIFORNIA 

puts  petroleum  progress   to   work   for  you 

NOVEMBER  1956 


845 


Speed 
when  it's 


urgent 


Prompt  claims  settlement  has 
always  been  a  policy  of 

MUTUAL  OF 
ENUMCLAW 

Thousands  of  Northwest  policyholders 
have  been  delighted  with  the  prompt 
action  they've  received  in  their  dealings 
with  Mutual  of  Enumclaw.  If  and  when 
fire  strikes  be  sure  you're  protected  by 
Mutual  of  Enumclaw. 

No  Membership  or  Joining  Fees 


MUTUAL.OF 
ENUMCLAW 

INSURANCE 


FIRE,  AUTO  and  COMPREHENSIVE.  .SINCE  1898 
Home  Office:  Enumclaw,  Washington 

SALT  LAKE   BRANCH  OFFICE 
909  So.  State 


The  Unified  Church  School  System 


(Continued  from  page  797) 
important  development  was  imple- 
mented by  the  late  Elder  Joseph  F. 
Merrill  of  the  Council  of  the  Twelve, 
who  was  then  Church  Commissioner 
of  Education.  The  first  teacher  was 
Thomas  J.  Yates. 

This    program,    which    started    at 
Granite    High    School   with    71    stu- 


dents, has  grown  steadily  into  a  vast 
program  of  116  full-time  and  236 
part-time  seminaries  with  38,285 
students  in  1955-56.  This  movement 
has  spread  to  every  high  school  in 
the  state  of  Utah,  except  two  small 
ones,  and  throughout  Idaho,  Arizona, 
Nevada,  Oregon,  California,  Wash- 
ington,  Hawaii,    and    Alberta,    Can- 


^,  CN^^\iN>s>>3s?v>^3\5s5&5^ 


independent  j^eo 


T 


Richard  L.  Evans 


Tn  any  area  of  activity  where  two  or  more  people  participate, 
•■■  there  sometimes  comes  the  question  as  to  whose  part  is 
most  important — Whose  service  is  most  essential? — Who 
could  get  along  best  without  the  others?  This  question  of 
comparative  importance  sometimes  occurs  in  communities, 
in  business  and  industry,  in  athletics,  even  in  families,  and 
in  all  organized  activity.  Fathers  who  come  home  tired  from 
the  duties  of  the  day,  could  feel  (and  no  doubt  sometimes  do) 
that  theirs  is  the  important  part — and  that  what  happens 
in  the  household  is  more  or  less  a  routine  matter.  But  then 
sometimes  the  household  becomes  disorganized  when  the  one 
who  is  most  responsible  for  its  activities  is  absent  or  ill — and 
the  indispensable  nature  of  the  so-called  routine  tasks  is  soon 
and  sharply  in  evidence.  Or  let  the  winner  of  the  livelihood 
suddenly  become  ill  or  absent,  and  soon  the  importance  of 
the  part  he  plays  is  also  sharply  apparent.  Sometimes  chil- 
dren take  things  very  much  for  granted — or  may  even  feel 
that  they  are  imposed  upon.  But  later,  with  family  obliga- 
tions of  their  own,  when  they  are  faced  firsthand  with  the 
problems  from  which  parents  have  somewhat  shielded  them, 
they  soon  learn  of  the  weight  and  the  work  that  was  carried 
by  others  for  them — which  once  they  were  little  aware  of. 
Husbands  and  wives  cannot  safely  suppose  that  the  work  of 
one  is  above  that  of  the  other,  or  that  both  do  not,  now  and 
always,  need  each  other.  Nor  can  children  or  brothers  and 
sisters.  And  so  it  is  in  all  society.  Innumerable  people,  most 
of  whom  we  never  know,  provide  for  us  comfort  and  safety, 
and  innumerable  essential  services.  Literally  there  is  no  such 
thing  as  an  independent  person — even  if  some  of  us  some- 
times act  as  if  we  were.  All  our  lives  have  become  so  inter- 
twined that  the  comparison  of  Paul  is  ever  more  impressed 
upon  us,  as  being  as  true,  or  more  so,  as  when  first  it  was 
written  some  nineteen  centuries  ago:  "For  the  body  is  not 
one  member,  but  many.  ...  And  the  eye  cannot  say  unto 
the  hand,  I  have  no  need  of  thee:  nor  again  the  head  to  the 
feet,  I  have  no  need  of  you.  .  .  Z'1  The  fact  is  that  the  whole 
core  and  content  of  life  is  so  dependent  upon  the  performance 
of  others  that  all  of  us  need  all  of  us,  and  all  of  us  have 
need,  to  be  grateful  for  the  services  of  all  others. 


^Jke    Spoken     {/word 


Jpotien      1/1/  Of  a  FROM   TEMPLE  SQUARE 

PRESENTED  OVER  KSL  AND  THE  COLUMBIA  BROADCASTING 
SYSTEM,  SEPTEMBER  2,    1956 

Copyright    1956 


846 


*I  Corinthians  12:14,  21. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


ada,  parts  of  Wyoming,  Montana, 
Colorado,  New  Mexico,  and  Texas. 
Requests  to  start  seminary  classes 
have  come  from  eastern  seaboard  and 
midwest  states. 

Last  year  the  released-time  classes 
were  taught  by  219  professionally 
certified  and  qualified  teachers  and 
there  were  also  353  part-time  teach- 
ers— a  total  of  572 — devoted  to  the 
religious  education  of  youth.  And 
they  are  more  than  teachers — asso- 
ciated closely  with  the  spiritual  life 
of  young  men  and  women,  they  be- 
come also  their  recreational  directors 
and  counselors  in  serious  life  prob- 
lems. 

The  institutes  on  the  college  level 
had  their  inception  in  1926  at  Mos- 
cow, Idaho.  There  are  now  twenty 
full-time  institutes,  each  of  which 
has  a  separate  building  of  its  own 
and  a  full-time  director.  In  addi- 
tion there  are  thirteen  part-time  in- 
stitutes and  seventeen  part-time 
teachers.  The  total  enrolment  in 
1955-56  in  Utah,  Arizona,  Idaho, 
California,  Wyoming,  Nevada,  and 
Canada  was  5,558.  (See  accompany- 
ing list.) 

The  program  of  the  institutes  con- 
sists of  ( 1 )  formal  classes  in  religion 
in  which  regular  university  standards 
of  scholarship  are  maintained  and 
for  which  college  credit  often  is  given; 
(2)  a  social  program  which  includes 
student  discussion  groups,  formal  and 
informal  parties,  dancing,  banquets, 
and  other  recreational  features,  most 
of  which  are  sponsored  by  Lambda 
Delta  Sigma  chapters;  (3)  a  regular 
worship  program  which  in  most  in- 
stitutes includes  a  ward  or  branch 
organization  officered  and  taught  by 
institute  students,  enabling  them  later 
to  take  over  important  positions  in 
wards  and  stakes;  (4)  a  counseling 
program  in  which  college  students 
are  given  personal  consultation  with 
religious  counselors. 

T^he  largest  single  unit  in  the 
■*■  Church  school  system  is  Brigham 
Young  University.  It  was  established 
by  a  deed  of  trust  signed  in  1875  by 
President  Brigham  Young,  who  sent 
Dr.  Karl  G.  Maeser,  a  German  scholar 
and  schoolmaster,  to  take  over  the 
academy.  Brigham  Young  gave  him 
these  instructions  as  he  departed  for 
Provo: 

„  "I  want  you  to  remember  that  you 
ought  not  to  teach  even  the  alphabet 

(Continued  on  following  page) 
NOVEMBER  1956 


\o  which  of  your  loved  ones 

will  you  give  these  Bibles 

this  Christmas? 


For  a  future  bride- 


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Morocco,  limp,  round  corners,  gold  edges,  ornamental  gold 
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For  a  reverent  young  person  - 

158x  The  Scofield  Reference  Bible  in  handsome  red  French 
Morocco,  limp,  leather  lined,  round  corners,  gold  edges,  orna- 
mental gold  roll.  With  Family  Record.  (Also  available  in 
black.)  $15.50 

Both  these  Bibles  contain  Concordance,  Dictionary  of  Proper 
Names,  Subject  Index,  and  colored  maps  with  indexed  Atlas. 
Ultrathin  Oxford  India  Paper.  Handy  size:  4%  x  7Vi6>  only  %" 
thick. 

For  a  serious  student- 

382x  Looseleaf  edition  of  the  Scofield  Reference  Bible,  printed 
with  generous  margins  on  special  writing  quality  Oxford  India 
paper;  ideally  suited  for  study  purposes;  150  pages  (75  sheets) 
of  ruled  bond  paper  for  notes;  opens  flat.  Durable  Vinyl 
covers,  overlapping  edges,  round  corners,  red  under  gold 
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For  wife  and  mother- 


02289x  A  new  Oxford  Concordance  Bible  set  in  easy  to  read 
type  —  superb  bindings  in  your  choice  of  five  colors.  Author- 
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847 


a^Ulu 


It's   easy    to   starch   while    you    rinse 

when  you  use  Faultless  Starch.  (Clothes 
get  perfectly  rinsed  and  starched  in  one 
easy  operation  .  .  .  saves  time  and  work!) 
First  step  is  to  make  2  to  4  qts.  of  heavy 
hot  starch,  following  the  easy  directions 
on  each  Faultless  Starch  box. 


Add   hot  starch   to   last   rinse  water, 

after  filling  the  tub  about  half  full  with 
medium  hot  water.  (If  you  starch  in  a 
wringer  washer,  run  machine  about  2  min. 
to  mix.)  Put  in  articles  to  be  starched; 
rinse  and  wring  (run  wringer  washer  2-4 
min.)    Wring   with   loosened   wringer. 


How  to  starch 
while  you  rinse 


If  you  have  an  automatic  washer  (with 
wash  and  rinse  cycle  that  can  be  stopped 
and  reset),  fill  about  half  full  with  medium 
hot  water.  Add  2-4  qts.  heavy  hot  Fault- 
less Starch.  Run  machine  about  2  min.  to 
mix  starch.  Put  in  articles  to  be  starched. 
Run  2-4  min.    Drain.    Spin  dry  1-2  min. 


Heavy  articles  such  as  work  and  play 

clothes,  drapes,  slipcovers,  throw  rugs, 
etc.,  can  be  quickly  and  easily  starched 
with  the  Faultless  Starch-Rinse.  And  be- 
cause Faultless  Starch  penetrates  so  deeply 
and  evenly,  everything  gets  a  long-wear- 
ing,   beautiful    and    dirt-resisting    finish! 


Ironing  is  quick  and  easy,  too — a  joy, 
not  a  job — when  it's  starched!  Unlike 
starches  that  merely  "coat"  the  surface 
of  fabrics,  Faultless  Starch  penetrates — • 
leaves  no  undissolved  starch  globs  to  mar 
the  beauty  of  your  ironing.  Faultless  Starch 
gives  you  ironing-aids  already  mixed  in! 


There  is  no  quicker,  easier,  better  way 

to  starch  than  with  Faultless  Starch.  It's 
the  finest  laundry  starch  money  can  buy. 
Look  for  it  in  this  familiar  package — new 
Blued  &  Perfumed  starch  in  the  blue  box, 
regular  white  in  the  white  box.  Look  for 
it  at  your  grocer's. 


FREE  BOOKLET  to  help  you  do  perfect  starching  and  easy  ironing  with  less  work  is 
yours  on  request.  Send  your  name  and  address  to  Faultless  Starch  Co.,  Kansas  City  1,  Mo. 
848 


The  Unified  Church  School 
System 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

or  the  multiplication  tables  without 
the  spirit  of  God.  That  is  all.  God 
bless  you.    Good-bye." 

Dr.  Maeser  started  the  school  with 
twenty-nine  pupils  and  guided  it 
through  nearly  two  decades  of  hard- 
ship. 

The  admonition  of  Brigham  Young 
is  carried  out  today  as  in  the  time  of. 
Dr.  Maeser  although  the  school  has 
grown  to  national  prominence  with  an 
annual  cumulative  enrolment  of 
10,675.    More  than  half  of  these  stu- 


AS  SUMMER  GOES 
By  Ethelyn  M.  Kincher 

HThere  was  a  frost  last  night;  the  ivy  vine 
Is  sagging  on  the  wall  its  tendrils  chose. 
A  bush,  by  some  deep  infinite  design, 
Has  kept  the  thorn  and  cast  away  the  rose. 
Now  every  tree  takes  on  a  gipsy  dress, 
The  wind  sighs  of  the  winter  days  to  come; 
The  sun  has  lost  some  of  its  warm  caress, 
And  fields  are  finished  with  the  harvest's 
hum. 

So  now  against  the  cold  I  lay  my  fire, 
And  bring  out  memories  to  warm  my  heart. 
I  will  recall  the  spring  and  young  desire, 
And  columbines  in  summer's  fairest  art. 
These  things  endure  as  long  as  memory 
And  cannot  pass  with  seasons,  transiently. 


dents  come  from  outside  the  state  of 
Utah,  and  the  source  of  students  is 
just  about  co-extensive  with  the 
geography  of  the  Church.  The  stu- 
dents represent  most  of  the  stakes  of 
the  Church,  many  missions,  all  of 
the  states  of  the  Union  and  twenty- 
nine  foreign  countries. 

To  teach  the  rapidly  growing  stu- 
dent body,  BYU  has  increased  its 
faculty  to  five  hundred  and  is  con- 
structing buildings  rapidly  to  meet 
the  upsurge. 

Oarents  and  young  Latter-day 
■*•  Saints  everywhere  should  con- 
sider the  advantages  of  complete 
education  as  offered  by  the  Unified 
Church  School  System  in  its  schools 
or  in  the  religion  classes  which  sup- 
plement public  schools.  President  J. 
Reuben  Clark,  Jr.,  from  the  pulpit  at 
Brigham  Young  University,  has 
pointed  out  that  inspiration  has  gone 
hand  in  hand  with  hard  work  since 
the  Church  was  brought  forth  by 
actual  application  of  the  admonition 
of  James:  "If  any  of  you  lack  wisdom, 
let  him  ask  of  God.  .  .  ." 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


"This  great  promise,  in  measure  a 
command,  has  been  repeated  over 
and  over  again  by  the  Lord  to  us  of 
this  day,"  said  President  Clark.  "He 
has  never  permitted  us  to  forget  it. 
It  is  basic  to  the  whole  plan  of  the 
restored  gospel.  It  means  that  God 
still  speaks  to  men  in  pulpits,  before 
altars,  in  laboratories,  in  workshops, 
in  plowed  fields,  in  the  bowels  of  the 
earth,  on  the  mountain  heights,  in  our 
secret  chambers  of  prayer — wherever 
men  move  and  work  and  search,  there 
he  speaks  and  reveals  to  them  the 
eternal  truths  of  the  universe,  the 
mysteries  of  God." 

Annual 
Cumulative 
Institution  Enrolment 

Brigham  Young  University 

(regular  day-time)    10,675 

BYU  Extension  (off  campus, 

night,  etc.)    5,005 

BYU  Secondary  Laboratory 

School 350 

BYU  Elementary  Laboratory 

School  212 

Ricks  College 

(regular  day-time)  999 

Ricks  Extension  467 

McCune  School  of  Music 

and  Art  2,085 

LDS  Business  College  1,700 

Juarez  Academy  and  Ele- 
mentary Schools  456 

Seminaries 38,285 

Institutes 5,558 

65,792 


The  Deseret  Sunday  School 


(Continued  from  page  801) 

probably  first  used  at  the  April  con- 
ference of  1887.  The  Sunday  School 
Superintendency  were  George  Q. 
Cannon,  general  superintendent; 
George  Goddard,  first  assistant;  John 
Morgan,  second  assistant. 

Tn  1897  George  D.  Pyper  was  chos- 
*-  en  secretary  of  the  Sunday  School 
general  board,  serving  as  secretary, 
assistant  superintendent,  and  general 
superintendent  for  forty-six  years.  He 
compiled  Deseret  Sunday  School 
Songs,  which  was  published  in  1909. 
This  delightful  book  taught  the  gos- 
pel in  song  to  Sunday  School  mem- 
bers for  thirty-nine  years  and  until 
the  present  hymnbook  was  published 
in  1948. 

At  the  close  of   1900   the  Deseret 

Sunday  School  Union  purchased  The 

Juvenile  Instructor  from   George   Q. 

Cannon    and    family.      In    1930    the 

(Concluded  on  following  page) 

NOVEMBER  1956 


wonderful 


new  LD.S,  books 


Motherhood  by  Lundstrom 

A  partnership  with  God.  The 
clear  picture  of  a  Latter  Day 
Saint  woman's  world  as  it 
was,  is,  and  should  be,       3.50 

Research  in  Genealogy 

E.  Kay  Kirkham  answers  ques- 
tions and  problems  of  those  st- 
arting genealogy  study  or  those 
advanced  in  the  work,  4.00 

I  Thee  Wed  by  Skidmore 

An  experienced  and  religious 
answer  to  problems  arising  in 
early  and  later  married  life.  Ad- 
vice for  a  happy  marriage,  2.00 

Tell  Me  A  Story 

A  group  of  fifty  stories  from 
"The  Children's  Friend",  to 
stress  integrity  and  character. 
Interesting  and  useful,  3,00 
ZCM!  BOOKS— Street  Floor 


Mail  orders  to:                                                                1  ]/|  E 
MARGOT  MANNERS,  ZCMI 
Salt  Lake  City  10,  Utah 
Please  send  the  following  new  L.D.S.  books: 

Quart. 

Title 

Price 

□  Cash                          [JCharae                          DC.O.D. 
Name 

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City  _ Zone     State , 

Include  12#  postage  on  each  book.     Utah  residents  add 
2%  State  Sales  Tax. 


849 


The  Deseret  Sunday  School  Union 


(Concluded  from  preceding  page) 
name  of  this  indispensable  "right  arm 

of  the  Sunday  School"  was  changed 
to  The  Instructor  to  broaden  its  con- 
notation. 

Lesson  helps  are  now  published  in 
the  form  of  manuals  and  teachers' 
supplements.  The  Instructor  is  there- 
by able  to  concentrate  on  its  broader 
mission — a  magazine  for  gospel  teach- 
ers in  auxiliaries,  the  priesthood 
quorums,  and  in  the  home. 

In  April  1901,  George  Q.  Cannon 
died.  George  Goddard,  his  first  as- 
sistant, had  died  in  1899  and  his 
second  assistant,  Karl  G.  Maeser,  in 
February  1901.  At  a  general  board 
meeting  May  9,  1901,  President 
Lorenzo  Snow  was  appointed  general 
superintendent.  At  his  death  in 
October  1901,  President  Joseph  F. 
Smith  was  appointed  general  superin- 
tendent, serving  until  November 
1918.  Elder  David  O.  McKay  was 
then  appointed  general  superinten- 
dent, serving  as  such  until  called  to 
the  First  Presidency  in  October  1934. 
George  D.  Pyper  served  as  general 
superintendent  from  October  1934  to 
January  1943.  From  March  1943  to 
September  1949  Milton  Bennion  was 
general  superintendent;  and  from 
September  1949  to  the  present  time, 
George  R.  Hill  has  served  in  that 
capacity. 

President  David  O.  McKay  has 
■*■  made  outstanding  contributions 
to  Latter-day  Saint  Sunday  Schools. 
After  graduating  from  the  University 
of  Utah  in  1897  and  spending  two 
years  as  a  missionary  in  Scotland,  he 
was  made  second  assistant  superin- 
tendent of  Weber  Stake  Sunday 
Schools  in  1899,  under  Superinten- 
dent Thomas  B.  Evans.  He  was 
given  the  responsibility  for  classwork. 
For  the  next  six  years,  with  Weber 
Stake  Sunday  Schools  and  board  as 
a  laboratory,  he  worked  out  methods, 
organization,  and  procedures  for  the 
preparation,  presentation,  and  appli- 
cation of  Sunday  School  lessons.  His 
plan  included  a  careful  grading  of 
students  and  a  definite  course  of  study 
for  each  department.  With  stake 
board  supervisors  for  each  depart- 
ment and  a  permanent  and  adequate 
teaching  force  in  each  ward,  he 
taught  these  workers  how  to  outline 
lessons  for  effective  presentation. 

Teachers  were  asked  to  study  each 
lesson  at  home,  to  decide  upon  a 
definite  aim  or  objective  for  each,  to 
850 


arrange  supporting  topics  logically,  to 
provide  timely  illustrations  from  vari- 
ous sources,  and  finally  to  write  out 
a  practical  application  of  the  lesson 
in  the  child's  life.  At  a  weekly  prepa- 
ration meeting  for  all  officers  and 
teachers  in  each  ward,  every  detail 
of  the  following  Sunday's  work  was 
specifically  programmed. 

At  a  union  meeting  once  each 
month  all  officers  and  teachers  of  the 
stake  met  for  general  instructions 
from  the  stake  superintendency  and 
then  by  department,  each  conducted 
by  a  specially  trained  stake  board 
member  who  had  been  through  a 
series  of  weekly  meetings  to  prepare 
him  for  his  union  meeting.  Each 
teacher  came  away  from  this  union 
meeting  with  four  lesson  outlines  for 
the  month  ahead,  a  suggested  aim  or 
objective,  illustrations,  and  applica- 
tions for  each  to  make  them  living 
lessons  in  the  lives  of  the  pupils. 

On  April  8,  1906,  President  McKay 
was  called  to  the  Council  of  the 
Twelve  and  immediately  to  member- 
ship on  the  Sunday  School  general 
board.  Six  months  later  he  was 
chosen  second  assistant  general  su- 
perintendent. From  that  time  on  the 
various  improvements  and  refine- 
ments in  lesson  preparation  and 
presentation  worked  out  in  Weber 
Stake  were  passed  on  and  adopted  by 
the  other  stakes  of  the  Church.  Union 
meetings,  until  then  rather  desultory 
affairs,  rose  to  new  highs. 

Clear-cut  departmentalization  of 
Sunday  Schools  took  place  in  the  next 
ten  years,  with  many  new  depart- 
ments added.  Moreover,  a  weekly 
family  home  night  when  parents 
might  have  a  regular  evening  each 
week  to  spend  with  their  children 
was  advocated.  Parents  were  helped 
by  the  parent's  class  in  Sunday 
School. 

At  the  October  conference  in  1928 
the  Sunday  School  and  priesthood 
classes  were  merged  to  form  the  priest- 
hood Sunday  School.  After  a  few  years 
they  were  separated,  the  length  of 
Sunday  School  was  shortened  from 
two  hours  to  ninety  minutes,  neces- 
sitating reducing  the  time  for  song 
practice  to  ten  minutes,  eliminating 
the  concert  recitation,  and  stream- 
lining all  other  features  of  the  pro- 
gram. 

The  Sunday  School  lessons  which 
were  developed  for  the  priesthood 
Sunday    School    were   perfected    and 


later  published  as  quarterlies  and 
finally  as  manuals  with  teachers'  sup- 
plements. Each  embraces  a  full 
year's  work. 

These  manuals,  one  for  each  year, 
are  adapted  to  the  age  levels  of  chil- 
dren from  nearly  three  years  of  age 
to  adulthood.  Classes  are  arranged 
in  two-year  cycles. 

nPHE  Sunday  School  course  of  study 
■*  covers  the  entire  gospel  plan,  with 
special  emphasis  on  the  restoration 
of  the  gospel  through  the  Prophet 
Joseph  Smith.  Lessons  are  taught 
from  a  doctrinal  as  well  as  an  histori- 
cal standpoint,  with  abundant  oppor- 
tunity for  class  participation. 

The  assignment  made  to  the  Sun- 
day School  by  the  First  Presidency  is 
to  teach  the  gospel  to  the  member- 
ship of  the  Church.  This  is  its  ob- 
jective— so  to  teach  the  gospel  that 
a  conviction  and  testimony  of  its 
truthfulness  will  follow,  so  strong  as 
to  result  in  a  determination  in  the 
heart  of  every  member  to  live  by 
gospel  standards. 

To  do  such  teaching  effectively,  a 
Junior  Sunday  School  for  children 
from  almost  three  to  eight  or  nine 
years  of  age  and  taught  in  three  or 
four  age  groups,  and  a  Senior  Sun- 
day School  for  students  eight  or  nine 
years  of  age  and  up  are  provided  in 
all  larger  wards  and  branches. 
Courses  in  genealogy,  parent  and 
child,  parent  and  youth,  and  gospel 
doctrine  are  also  taught.  A  twenty- 
six  week  pre-service  teacher  training 
course,  usually  held  during  the  wor- 
ship service  when  classrooms  are 
available,  is  taught  in  most  wards.  A 
gospel  essentials  class  for  investigators 
and  friends,  for  new  converts,  for 
members  of  the  Senior  Aaronic  Priest- 
hood and  members  of  mixed  families, 
is  also  provided. 

A  general  board  of  seventy  mem- 
bers holds  annual  superintendents' 
conferences,  conventions,  and  insti- 
tutes to  acquaint  and  train  stake 
board  members  of  the  229  stakes  of 
the  Church  in  the  procedures  and 
helps  they  in  turn  should  give  to 
ward  and  branch  Sunday  School 
workers  at  monthly  preparation  meet- 
ings, faculty  meetings,  on  visits  to 
Sunday  Schools,  and  with  individual 
ward  Sunday  School  workers. 

The  Era  is  a  great  source  of  help 
in  the  preparation  of  Sunday  School 
lessons  in  providing  abundant  and 
timely  illustrations.  It  should  be  in 
every  ward  Sunday  School  library  as 
well  as  in  every  home. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Welfare  in  the  Church 

(Continued    from   page   811) 

the  present  time  we  have  thirty-one 
modern,  clean,  and  well-supervised 
canneries,  and  two  milk-processing 
units.  These  are  a  tribute  to  the  work 
of  this  early  committee,  to  the  local' 
people  who  contribute  time  and  effort 
toward  maintaining  high  processing 
standards,  and  to  the  expert  and  un- 
tiring efforts  of  Brother  John  L. 
Campbell  who,  from  1942  until  his 
death  in  July  1956,  served  as  Church 
canning  supervisor. 

Tn  1944  the  Church  acquired  the 
A  Deseret  Mill  and  Elevators  located 
at  Kaysville,  Utah,  for  the  purpose 
of  milling  flour  and  cereal  and  mak- 
ing feeds  for  livestock  on  Church  wel- 
fare projects.  This  has  been  a  most 
successful  operation,  and  in  1950  ad- 
ditional concrete  elevators  were  con- 
structed to  hold  164,000  bushels  of 
grain. 

In  1947  the  general  Church  welfare 
committee  took  over  the  active  opera- 
tion of  the  Deseret  Coal  Mine  in 
Emery  County,  Utah.  The  mine  had 
been  operated  on  a  small  scale  by  the 
Central  Utah.-  Region.  This  mine 
now  supplies  all  the  coal  required 
by  the  welfare  program,  in  addition 
to  supplying  coal  to  all  Church  in- 
stitutions and  chapels  in  Utah  and 
Idaho. 

The  welfare  program  has  proved 
itself  in  many  emergencies,  some  of 
which  are  mentioned  in  the  follow- 
ing paragraphs. 

The  welfare  plan  moved  into  the 
emergency  of  the  flood  in  Mt. 
Graham  Stake,  Arizona,  September 
1941  largely  with  supplemental  as- 
sistance— to  permit  the  flood  victims 
to  help  themselves.  Bedding,  fencing, 
feed  for  cattle,  and  building  materials 
were  provided  along  with  heavy 
equipment  for  reclaiming  farms. 

Nine  thousand  man  hours  were 
contributed  under  welfare  program 
direction  in  cleaning  sixty  basements 
and  one  hundred  fifty  yards  and 
parking  areas,  in  August  1945  when 
a  flood  on  the  avenues  in  Salt  Lake 
City  occurred.  Some  food  and  cloth- 
ing was  distributed  as  bishops  found 
need. 

When  a  flood  ravaged  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant, Utah,  (July  1946)  5,280  man 
hours  were  donated  by  Church  mem- 
bers in  cleaning  out  fifty-nine  homes 
and  yards. 

The  entire  town  of  Vanport,  Ore- 
(Concluded  on  following  page) 
NOVEMBER  1956 


SAFEWAY 

A  Friend  of  the  Family . . 

Just  about  everyone  knows  that  SAFEWAY'S  consistently 
low  prices  have  helped  mothers  buy  more  with  the  grocery 
allowance.  Therefore,  SAFEWAY  has  become  a  friend  of 
the  WHOLE  FAMILY. 


SAFEWAY 

A  Friend  of  the  Farmer 

Much  of  the  food  sold  throughout  SAFEWAY'S  stores  is 
bought  from  local  farmers.  BEET  SUGAR  is  a  good  example 
of  how  SAFEWAY  works  with  Utah  and  Idaho  farmers. 

BEET  SUGAR  meets  every  requirement  for  table  and  can- 
ning use  in  home  and  industry,  a  sugar  that  has  the  highest 
quality  rating. 

Last  year  SAFEWAY  purchased  $1,307,300  of  home- 
grown BEET  SUGAR  from  four  Utah-Idaho  companies- 
Amalgamated,  Franklin,  Layton,  and  Utah-Idaho  sugar 
companies. 

Much  of  this  sugar  was  purchased  for  shipment  to  Safe- 
way stores  in  other  areas. 

Thousands  of  pounds  of  Beet  Sugar  also  went  into  the 
manufacture  of  Safeway's  well-known  Party  Pride  Ice  Cream, 
Skylark  Bread  and  other  bakery  goods. 

Utah  and  Idaho  Safeway  Stores  have  ALWAYS' boosted 
Beet  Sugar  because  the  beet  sugar  industry  was  born  in  the 
West,  the  same  as  SAFEWAY,  and  what  helps  the  Utah- 
Idaho  farmers  also  helps  Safeway. 

SAFEWAY  IS  A  FRIEND  OF  THE  FAMILY 
.  .  .  AND  A  FRIEND  OF  THE  FARMER 


MM 


p 
J- 


f 


851 


Welfare  in  the  Church 


(Concluded  from  preceding  page) 
gon,  was  submerged,  May  1948.   The 
welfare  program  administered  to  the 
needs   of   Church   members    and   led 
them  to  adequate  rehabilitation. 

Fifty-eight  thousand,  three  hun- 
dred and  one  man  hours  were 
donated  by  6,606  Church  members 
under  welfare  program  guidance  on 
flood  projects  in  the  April  1952 
emergency  in  Salt  Lake  City.  The 
Relief  Society  served  flood  workers 
more  than  .5,000  meals.  Eight  hun- 
dred twenty -three  Church  members 
donated  9,880  hours  in  cleaning  and 
reclaiming  74  homes.  Doctors,  nurses, 
and  Relief  Society  sisters  donated 
more  than  2,000  hours  in  giving  over 
15,000  injections  to  5,734  flood  vic- 
tims to  prevent  spread  of  disease. 

The  flood  at  Yuba  City,  California, 
December  1955  received  the  attention 
of  about  five  thousand  man  hours  of 
contributed  labor  cleaning  out  homes 
and  reclaiming  and  repairing  home 
furnishings,  appliances  and  supplies. 
Four  large  truck  loads  of  food,  cloth- 
ing, bedding,  and  furniture  were  sent 
from  general  Church  warehouses  to 
relieve  suffering. 

At  the  close  of  World  War  II  in 
1946,  President  George  Albert  Smith 
and  other  Church  leaders  met  with 
President  Harry  Truman  to  gain  per- 
mission to  send  food,  clothing,  bed- 
ding, and  other  supplies  to  our  needy 
members  in  Europe.     President  Tru- 


man gave  willing  consent  and  was 
very  much  surprised  to  learn  that 
we  had  in  our  warehouses  the  sup- 
plies all  ready  to  send. 

When  our  last  shipment  reached 
Europe  in  1949,  the  Church  welfare 
had  shipped  133  carloads  of  food, 
clothing,  and  bedding  valued  at  more 
than  one  million  dollars.  Untold 
suffering  had  been  relieved,  and  in 
the  words  of  Elder  Delbert  L.  Stapley 
at  the  October  1955  general  confer- 
ence: "I  sincerely  believe  and  am 
bold  enough  to  suggest  that  one  of 
the  chief  foundations  and  contribut- 
ing factors  leading  to  the  erecting  of 
the  Swiss  Temple,  with  all  its  bless- 
ings to  the  European  Saints,  can  be 
credited  to  this  magnificent  welfare 
effort." 

The  welfare  program  contributed 
more  than  eight  hundred  quilts  and 
blankets  to  the  Netherlands  govern- 
ment in  July  1953  to  assist  flood 
victims  there.  In  February  1954,  the 
program  sent  six  carloads  of  food  to 
the  earthquake  victims  on  the  Greek- 
owned  Ionian  Islands. 

In  addition,  generous  contributions 
have  been  made  throughout  the  years 
to  Community  Chest  activities  and 
alcoholic  rehabilitation  centers. 

^Phe  foregoing  represent  some  of  the 
•*-  high  lights  of  welfare  program 
activities  throughout  the  years.    The 


The  Patriarchal  Priesthood 


(Continued  from  page  789) 
Just  why  it  was  continued  through 
Ephraim  rather  than  through  Manas- 
seh,  his  older  brother,  we  have  not 
been  informed,  but  we  may  be  sure 
that  the  Lord  had  sufficient  reason. 
From  that  time  until  now,  this  birth- 
right has  been  vested  in  the  de- 
scendants of  Ephraim.2 

In  the  Dispensation  of  the  Fulness 
of  Times  in  which  we  live,  the  Lord 
revealed  that  this  birthright  of  the 
first-born  in  Israel  belonged  to  Joseph 
Smith,  the  father  of  the  Prophet,  and 
he  was  the  first  patriarch  ordained 
in  this  dispensation.  After  his  death 
the  office  and  priesthood  was  con- 
ferred upon  Hyrum  Smith,  the  Proph- 
et's oldest  living  brother.  There  is 
an  interesting  statement  in  a  revela- 
tion given  to  Hyrum  Smith  in  April 

21    Ghron.  5:1-2;   Jcr.   31:9;   D   &   C    133:30-34. 

852 


1830,  a  few  days  after  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Church.  In  this  revela- 
tion the  Lord  said  to  him: 

"Behold,  I  speak  unto  you,  Hyrum, 
a  few  words;  for  thou  also  art  under 
no  condemnation,  and  thy  heart  is 
open,  and  thy  tongue  loosed;  and  thy 
calling  is  .  .  .  unto  the  church  forever, 
and  this  because  of  thy  family." 

This  appears  to  be  a  clear  intima- 
tion that  he  and  his  descendants  after 
him  should  hold  this  patriarchal  au- 
thority.3 

After  the  death  of  the  Patriarch 
Joseph  Smith,  Sr.,  Hyrum  Smith,  who 
was  serving  as  second  counselor  in 
the  First  Presidency  of  the  Church, 
was  called  to  take  the  office  of  patri- 
arch, and  the  Lord  said: 

"And  again,  verily  I  say  unto  you, 


SD  &  C  23:3. 


year  ending  1955  reveals  the  follow- 
ing interesting  information: 

1.  There  are  now  26  welfare  re- 
gions. 

2.  The  program  now  contains  689 
welfare  production  projects,  largely 
in  the  field  of  agriculture  but  also  in 
manufacturing. 

3.  The  bishops'  storehouse  system 
now  contains  140  bishops'  storehouse 
units. 

4.  From  1943  through  1955  an 
average  of  approximately  50,000  peo- 
ple a  year  have  been  assisted  in  some 
way  through  the  welfare  plan  with 
cash  and  commodities.  In  1955  alone 
more  than  8,000  people  found  em- 
ployment in  commercial  enterprise 
through  the  welfare  plan  and  more 
than  92,000  people  donated  approxi- 
mately 790,000  hours  of  labor  to- 
ward the  operation  and  construction 
of  welfare  projects. 

Through  the  welfare  plan  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  have  become  in- 
creasingly aware  of  their  responsi- 
bility to  maintain  their  own  inde- 
pendence. Many  Church  members 
have  organized  in  their  own  homes 
food  storage  programs.  Many  have 
followed  the  counsel  that  we  avoid 
debt,  increase  our  savings,  and  live 
within  our  incomes. 

The  life-giving  and  life-preserving 
principles  of  the  Church  welfare  plan 
remain  unchanged,  and  rich  blessings 
are  yet  available  to  members  of  the 
Church  who  heed  counsel  and  follow 
and  participate  in  the  welfare  plan. 

let  my  servant  William  [Law]  be  ap- 
pointed, ordained,  and  anointed,  as 
a  counselor  unto  my  servant  Joseph, 
in  the  room  of  my  servant  Hyrum, 
that  my  servant  Hyrum  may  take  the 
office  of  Priesthood  and  Patriarch, 
which  was  appointed  unto  him  by 
his  father,  by  blessing  and  also  by 
right; 

"That  from  henceforth  he  shall 
hold  the  keys  of  the  patriarchal  bless- 
ings upon  the  heads  of  all  my  people, 

"That  whosoever  he  blesses  shall 
be  blessed,  and  whosoever  he  curses 
shall  be  cursed;  that  whatsoever  he 
shall  bind  on  earth  shall  be  bound 
in  heaven;  and  whatsoever  he  shall 
loose  on  earth  shall  be  loosed  in 
heaven.4 

In  the  same  blessing  and  appoint- 
ment an  additional  authority  was 
conferred  upon  Hyrum  Smith,  for  he 

Hbid.,   124:91-93.     See  also  verses  93-125. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


was  appointed  to  be  an  assistant 
President  of  the  Church  in  the  place 
of  Oliver  Cowdery,  and  all  the  keys 
and  authorities  that  were  given  to 
Oliver  were  transferred  to  Hyrum 
Smith.5 

Today  in  each  stake  of  Zion  a 
patriarch  is  ordained,  in  some  cases 
more  than  one.  The  patriarchs  are 
authorized  to  give  blessings  to  all 
faithful  members  of  the  Church, 
within  the  borders  of  the  stake  in 
which  they  live,  who  come  properly 
recommended  by  their  bishops. 

Hbid.,   verses    94-95. 


Church  Historian's  Office 

(Continued    from    page   795) 

Ghost  while  acting  as  Historians  or 
clerks  for  the  Church,  and  may  we 
keep  a  true  and  faithful  record  and 
history  of  Thy  Church  and  Kingdom 
and  Thy  servants,  and  may  it  be  kept 
in  that  way  and  manner  that  it  may 
be  acceptable  unto  Thee,  O  Lord, 
and  unto  Thy  servants,  the  presidency 
of  Thy  Church.  And  we  dedicate 
this  house  unto  Thee,  from  the  foun- 
dation to  the  top  thereof;  and  we  pray 
that  the  spirit  and  power  of  the 
Devil  may  never  have  dominion  over 
any  man,  or  power  or  place  in  the 
mind  of  any  man  who  labors  in  this 
room. 

"And  we  ask  Thee  to  bless  us  and 
prosper  us  in  all  things,  and  we  pray 
that  Thou  wilt  bring  to  our  remem- 
brance all  things  which  are  neces- 
sary to  the  writing  of  this  history. 
And  that  papers  and  documents  and 
all  things  necessary  may  be  brought 
to  us,  to  enable  us  to  compile  a  right, 
useful  and  proper  history." 

The  building  was  also  used  for 
many  important  meetings  of  the  pre- 
siding brethren.  The  growth  of  the 
Church  and  the  increasing  number  of 
records  made  known  the  need  of 
larger  quarters  for  the  Historian's 
Office.  In  1914  the  cornerstone  of 
the  beautiful  Church  Office  Building 
was  laid,  and  in  1917  the  Historian's 
Office  was  moved  from  its  old  home  to 
the  third  floor  of  this  new  building. 
Here,  in  steel  vaults,  cases,  and 
shelves,  have  been  gathered  thou- 
sands of  books  and  other  records.  It 
is  the  aim  of  this  office  to  gather  all 
books,  pamphlets,  tracts,  newspapers, 
records,  etc.,  published  by  the  Church 
(Concluded  on  following  page) 
NOVEMBER  1956 


Sinks  take  a 


so  why  not  design  your  new  kitchen 
around  a  Stainless  Steel  sink  and 
counter  top?  No  other  metal  resists 
corrosion  so  well.  Handsome  sinks 
and  tops  won't  chip;  they  are  un- 
affected by  the  hottest  utensils  and 
wipe  clean  with  a  damp  cloth. 


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"Gospel  Ideals" 

In  Its  Third   Edition 
Selections  from   the  Discourses  of 

President  David  O.  McKay 

at  all  bookdealers 


853 


MEN  TO 
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MY 
MOUNTAINS 


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Reeds,  fabulous  John  Sutter,  opportunist 
Lansford  Hastings,  Zebulon  Pike,  and 
General  Kearny — the  heroes  of  the  West 
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Church  Historian's  Office 


(Concluded  from  preceding  page) 
and  those  written  by  members  of  the 
Church;  those  books  pertaining  to 
Western  History,  especially  when 
dealing  with  the  Mormons;  also  books 
written  by  non-Mormons  which  are 
friendly  in  their  nature  and  those 
written  by  anti-Mormons.  We  have 
also  in  the  Historian's  Office  hun- 
dreds of  early  records  of  the  missions, 
and  since  1907  all  the  records  of 
births,  baptisms,  ordinations,  deaths, 


and    excommunications    which    have 
taken  place  in  the  Church. 

When  Elder  George  A.  Smith  was 
chosen  as  first  counselor  to  President 
Brigham  Young,  Elder  Albert  Car- 
rington  became  Church  Historian 
and  General  Church  Recorder.  He 
was  succeeded  in  turn  by  Elders 
Orson  Pratt,  Wilford  Woodruff, 
Franklin  D.  Richards,  Anthon  H. 
Lund,  and  the  present  incumbent, 
Elder  Joseph  Fielding  Smith. 


The  General  Music  Committee  of  the  Church 


(Continued  from  page  814) 
tion  of  good,  appropriate  music 
literature,  (4)  training  of  music 
leadership,  (5)  organization  of  ward 
choirs,  (6)  encouragement  of  home 
composers. 

Sensing  the  importance  of  congre- 
gational singing  as  a  medium  through 
which  all  may  vocally  worship  to- 
gether, the  committee  has  constantly 
encouraged  this  phase  of  musical  ex- 
pression, not  only  in  Sacrament  meet- 
ings but  also  in  the  priesthood  and 
auxiliary  organizations.  It  has  also 
sought  to  provide  appropriate  con- 
gregational song  literature  for  the 
Church  membership. 

Following  the  publication  of  Emma 
Smith's  original  collection  of  hymns, 
various  additions  and  substitutions 
were  made  until  in  1889  the  LDS 
Psalmody  finally  emerged,  the  first 
sizable  hymnbook  of  the  Church  con- 
taining both  words  and  music.  Since 
the  advent  of  the  Psalmody,  several 
congregational  hymnbooks  have  come 
into  existence. 

Tn  1947  the  general  music  committee 
■*-  was  given  the  assignment  by  the 
First  Presidency  to  compile  three 
books  for  general  Church  use:  (1)  a 
hymnbook  for  adult  gatherings,  (2) 
a  recreational  songbook,  and  (3)  a 
children's  songbook.  These  books 
were  to  replace  all  others  then  in 
circulation.  The  result  of  the  com- 
mittee's efforts  are  found  in  the  pres- 
ent Hymns,  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 
of  Latter-day  Saints  (1950  edition), 
Recreational  Songs,  and  The  Children 
Sing. 

The  present  hymbook  is  the  most 
utilitarian  and  unusual  of  any  other 
yet  published.    To  meet  the  needs  of 


854 


our  various  types  of  gatherings,  it  is 
divided  into  four  sections,  one  for 
mixed  groups,  one  for  priesthood 
meetings,  and  one  for  gatherings  of 
women.  The  other  section  consists 
of  hymns  to  be  sung  by  ward  choirs. 
These  choir  hymns  are  unique  to  our 
Church.  They  were  Written  by  our 
own  early  composers  for  the  choirs 
they  directed  and  differ  from  the  tra- 
ditional hymn  in  that  their  vocal 
range  is  greater  and  their  music  more 
florid. 

Each  of  the  three  congregational 
songbooks  serve  a  definite  purpose, 
and  together  they  fill  the  basic  needs 
of  all  types  of  congregational  singing 
in  the  Church. 


/~^ne  of  the  major  activities  of  the 
^  general  music  committee  is  the 
music  education  program  which  it 
sponsors.  This  program  is  one  of 
far-reaching  significance  and  has  at- 
tracted the  attention  and  interest  of 
music  educators  and  music  leaders  of 
other  churches  throughout  the  na- 
tion. It  was  first  instituted  in  1935 
with  the  approval  and  support  of  the 
First  Presidency.  From  a  modest  be- 
ginning it  is  now  Church -wide  in 
scope  and  has  had  a  great  influence 
in  raising  the  quality  of  our  music 
leadership. 

The  aim  of  the  program  is  to  devel- 
op confidence  and  leadership  ability 
in  the  great  army  of  people,  many 
of  them  young  in  years  and  experi- 
ence, who  are  called  to  serve  as  con- 
ductors and  organists  of  ward  choirs 
and  in  the  various  auxiliary  organiza- 
tions. The  instruction  is  given  on  a 
group  basis  with  approximately  twen- 
ty  conductors   and    ten   organists   in 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


a  class.  A  complete  course  consists 
of  twelve  two-hour  lessons.  The 
teaching  is  done  by  outstanding 
Church  musicians,  some  of  whom 
travel  from  stake  to  stake  in  order  to 
make  it  possible  for  those  in  the  far 
centers  of  the  Church  to  receive  the 
help  and  inspiration  they  have  to 
offer. 

The  popularity  of  this  training  is 
evidenced  by  the  constant  requests 
that  pour  into  the  committee's  office 
from  the  stakes  of  the  Church  asking 
the  opportunity  to  participate.  More 
than  23,000  students  have  enrolled 
and  received  training  under  this  pro- 
gram since  its  inception. 

To  help  meet  the  needs  peculiar  to 
the  conductors  and  organists  of  our 
Church,  the  committee  has  published 
two  textbooks,  Fundamentals  of  Con- 
ducting by  J.  Spencer  Cornwall,  and 
The  Organist's  Manual  by  Tracy 
Y.  Cannon.  The  committee's  hand- 
book, Some  General  Recommenda- 
tions Concerning  Music  in  the 
Church,  provides  the  answers  to  many 
questions  on  Church  music  policies 
and  contributes  to  the  proper  under- 
standing of  the   organization   of  the 


musical  forces.  Thousands  of  these 
booklets  are  distributed  annually  to 
those  responsible  for  the  music  pro- 
gram of  the  Church. 

Another  project  of  the  general 
music  committee  is  to  encourage  the 
organization  and  maintenance  of 
good  ward  choirs.  This  is  done 
through  printed  helps,  choir  clinics, 
combined  ward  choir  festivals,  and 
the  distribution  of  appropriate  choir 
music.  The  committee  has  published 
several  anthem  books  and  is  con- 
tinually examining  thousands  of 
compositions  to  find  those  worthy  of 
recommendation  to  choir  leaders. 


FROST  ON  A  WINDOW 
By  Anobel  Armour 

HPhe  sun  has  come,  and  I  am  strangely  lost 
Without   my  window  trees   which   were 

white   frost, 
For  they  were  like  the  forests  which  I  knew, 
The    mountain    forests    where    green    pine 

winds  blew. 

For  though  I  would  not  go  back  if  I  could, 
Finding  my  prairie  man  and  furrows  good, 
My  heart  stops  suddenly  at  seeing  trees, 
Even  if  only  frost  and  frail — like  these. 


The  committee  has  always  en- 
deavored to  encourage  those  who  are 
seriously  bent  on  the  study  of  church 
music.  It  is  hoped  that  those  who 
are  pursuing  music  as  a  vocation  will 
contribute  greatly  in  providing  leader- 
ship and  in  building  a  music  litera- 
ture truly  representative  of  the 
restored  gospel. 

rPHE  future  of  music  in  the  Church 
A  is  full  of  promise.  The  Taber- 
nacle Choir  and  other  large  choruses, 
the  constant  growth  in  number  and 
quality  of  ward  choirs,  the  great  Salt 
Lake  Tabernacle  organ,  the  many 
organs  that  are  being  installed  in  the 
ward  chapels,  the  very  fine  musical 
programs  of  the  auxiliary  organiza- 
tions, the  contributions  of  our  uni- 
versity to  music,  are  all  factors 
showing  the  way  to  greater  heights 
of  musical  expression.  But  all  these 
avenues  of  expression  must  be  co- 
ordinated, encouraged,  and  kept  in 
harmony  with  the  principles  of  the 
gospel.  So  let  this  be  our  motto: 
Variety  of  expression,  but  unity  of 
purpose. 


Never  before  has  the  great  story  of  the  Mormons  been  so 
skillfully  woven  into  the  epic  of  the  American  West 

MEN  TO  MATCH  MY  MOUNTAINS 


THE  OPENING  OF  THE  FAR  WEST,  1840-1900 


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Saints,  the  struggles  and  accomplishments 
of  Brigham  Young,  Heber  Kimball,  Orson 
Pratt,  and  other  Mormon  pioneers,  and  the 


story  of  peace  in  Zion  are  at  last  placed 
into  proper  perspective.  Only  the  author  of 
Lust  For  Life  and  Love  Is  Eternal  could 
have  written  this  sweeping  narrative  of  the 
mighty  men  who  conquered  California, 
Nevada,  Utah,  and  Colorado  to  build  a  new 
civilization  in  an  untamed  land.  A  rich 
reading  prize  for  all  Americans,  Men  To 
Match  My  Mountains  will  be  particularly 
absorbing  for  its  accurate  chronicle  of  the 
birth  and  growth  of  The  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Latter-Day  Saints. 


Mainstream  of  America  Series 
$5.95;  the  autographed  Far  West  edition,  $10;  at  all  booksellers 
DOUBLEDAY  &  CO.,  INC. 


NOVEMBER  1956 


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"Enter  into  his  gates  with  thanks- 
giving, and  into  his  courts  with 
praise:  be  thankful  unto  him, 
and  bless  his  name.  For  the  Lord 
is  good;  his  mercy  is  everlasting; 
and  his  truth  endureth  to  all 
generations." 

— Ps.  100:4-5. 

LEON  BROWN 

FLORAL  COMPANY 

5th  South-  10th  West     Phone  EM  4-5544 
Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 


The  Church  Moves  On 


{Concluded  from  page  776) 
president,  and  Elders  James  B.  Jacobson 
and  David  G.  Clark  as  his  counselors. 
The  stake  is  made  up  of  Woodland 
Hills,  Encino,  Conoga  Park,  Reseda, 
Reseda  Second,  Granada  Hills  wards, 
and  the  Simi  Branch.  The  stake's 
membership  is  3,283. 

Burbank  Stake  organized  from  por- 
tions of  San  Fernando  and  Glendale 
(California)  stakes,  with  President 
James   D.    Pratt    as    its    president    and 


Elders  Lloyd  E.  Howard  and  Isaac 
Sorensen  as  counselors.  Elders  Pratt 
and  Howard  were  counselors  to  Presi- 
dent Smith  of  the  old  San  Fernando 
Stake.  With  a  membership  of  4,003, 
the  stake  consists  of  Studio  City,  North 
Hollywood,  North  Hollywood  Second, 
and  Burbank  wards,  all  from  the  San 
Fernando  Stake,  and  Burbank  Second 
Ward,  formerly  Sunset  Ward,  from  the 
Glendale  Stake. 


(c>3sr^3\9s>s3\3V;s-7v-3^9s^K2v3s-9\3^^ 


J  he  thoviakts  we  think 


'■? 


Richard  L.  Evans 


Tt  was  Cicero  who  said:  "To  think  is  to  live."1  Many  other 
■*•  eminent  observers  have  suggested  the  prime  importance 
of  the  thoughts  a  person  thinks — for  thoughts  are  the  fore- 
runners both  of  utterance  and  of  action.  Sometimes  we  will 
hear  someone  say,  "If  I  had  only  thought,  I  would  have  done 
differently."  But  for  every  rational  deed  we  do,  at  some  time 
or  other,  we  must  have  set  the  pattern,  we  must  have  thought 
the  thought.  Sometimes  people  complain  that  they  cannot 
control  what  they  think.  Perhaps  they  cannot  altogether 
always;  but  if  there  could  be  no  control  of  thought,  there 
could  be  no  control  of  action.  There  is  nothing  constructive 
done  without  its  being  preceded  by  plan  and  purpose.  The 
blueprint  precedes  the  building — if  not  on  paper,  at  least  a 
blueprint  in  a  man's  mind.  And  similarly  it  is  suggested  that 
before  the  unworthy  or  destructive  act  or  utterance,  comes 
first  the  thought — maybe  not  with  complete  awareness  of  its 
consequences,  but  sometime,  somewhere,  there  must  first 
have  been  the  mental  plan  and  pattern  of  mind  and  imagina- 
tion. Sometime,  somewhere,  within  the  mind,  the  spirit, 
the  intelligence,  the  knowing  part  of  a  person,  there  must 
first  have  been  the  mental  commitment.  But  just  because 
a  person  thinks  something  doesn't  mean  that  he  is  helpless 
before  the  thought;  for  if  we  were  helpless  to  control  our 
thoughts,  we  should  also  be  helpless  to  control  our  actions — 
and  the  Lord  God  hasn't  left  us  in  such  helplessness;  he  ex- 
pects us  to  move  toward  improvement  and  perfection,  which 
would  not  be  possible  unless  we  could,  increasingly,  crowd 
out  evil  or  unworthy  intent  by  thinking  clean,  constructive 
thoughts.  There  is  still  and  always  before  us  the  ancient 
scriptural  axiom:  ".  .  .  as  he  thinketh  in  his  heart,  so  is  he."- 
And  all  of  us  have  an  obligation  to  determine  what  we  will 
think  about,  what  we  will  read,  what  we  will  study,  what  we 
will  give  our  attention  to.  And  no  one  of  us  would  be  justi- 
fied in  assuming  that  he  is  in  no  way  responsible  for  the 
thoughts  he  thinks.  If  we  don't  want  to  build  the  building, 
there  is  no  point  in  making  the  blueprint.  If  we  don't  want 
to  invite  action,  we'd  better  not  think  the  thought. 

1Cicero:  Tusculanac  disputationes,  V.  45  B.  C. 
2Proverbs  23:7. 


Jh& 


J^poken     Word 


856 


•ken     vi/ ora         'from  temple  square 

PRESENTED  OVER  KSL  AND  THE  COLUMBIA  BROADCASTING 

SYSTEM,  SEPTEMBER  9,  1956 

Copyright    1956  $ 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


President  Don  ,  Carlos  Brown,  Jr., 
sustained  as  president  of  the  San 
Fernando  Stake,  with  Elders  James  E. 
Craddock  and  Robert  L.  Baird  as  coun- 
selors. The  stake  now  consists  of  Sher- 
man Oaks,  Van  Nuys,  Van  Nuys  Sec- 
ond, Van  Nuys  Third,  Pacoima,  San 
Fernando,  San  Fernando  Second  wards, 
and  Newhall  Branch.  The  stake  mem- 
bership is  now  4,884. 

Elders  Spencer  W.  Kimball  and  Le- 
Grand  Richards  of  the  Council  of  the 
Twelve  effected  these  changes. 

President  Marion  D.  Hanks  of  the 
First  Council  of  the  Seventy  dedicated 
the  remodeled  and  enlarged  chapel  of 
the  Coltman  Ward,  North  Idaho  Falls 
(Idaho)  Stake. 


There  Were  Jaredites 

(Continued   from   page    819) 

is  exactly  how  Jordanes,  a  Goth  who 
witnessed  the  events  of  the  time,  de- 
scribed it.26 

Attila  sets  up  his  stath,  or  admin- 
istration center,  in  Susam  (Soest)  and 
there  receives  a  constant  stream  of 
embassies  from  the  whole  earth,  while 
he  sends  his  messengers  abroad  to 
proclaim  and  execute  his  will.  (Ch. 
47,  48.)  Priscus,  who  actually  visited 
the  court  of  Attila  on  the  Steppes, 
describes  it  as  a  wood-and-tent  city, 
dominated  by  the  huge  palisade  and 
buildings  of  the  central  palace — all 
of  wood.27  Likewise  our  saga  (Ch. 
252)  tells  us  that  the  great  castles  of 
the  time  were  all  of  wood.  In  the 
royal  economy  the  amount  of  stuff 
that  changes  hands  in  the  form  of 
gifts  is  enormous:  it  is  acquired  on 
great  raids- — primarily  cattle  raids. 
(Ch.  51.)  Attila  is  the  soul  of  gener- 
osity, but  he  has  his  motives:  "To  win 
a  man  over  to  him  he  would  give  him 
clothing,  weapons,  and  a  horse." 
(Ch.  145.)  "He  took  cattle  and 
wealth  away  from  his  enemies  and 
gave  it  to  his  friends"  (Ch.  181)  is  a 
formula  that  might  have  been  taken 
right  out  of  the  Avesta. 

In  return  his  friends  were  bound  to 
him  by  terrible  oaths.  (Ch.  241.) 
Before  a  knight  could  "ride,"  that  is, 
go  forth  alone  on  an  adventure,  he 
had  to  receive  royal  permission  after 
first  explaining  exactly  where  he  was 
going  and  what  he  was  going  to  do; 
and  on  return  his  first  duty  was  to 
go  immediately  to  the  royal  castle 
and  report.  (Ch.  149.)  Gifts  were 
proportionate  to  the  value  of  services 
rendered,  and  could  even  include  the 
(Continued  on  following  page) 

NOVEMBER  1956 


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857 


There  Were  Jaredites 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 
classic  bestowal   of  the  hand  of  the 
king's  daughter  with  half  the  king- 
dom as  dowry.  (Ch.  159.) 

(To  be  continued) 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

fL.  R.  Palmer,  The  Latin  Language  (Lon- 
don: Faber  &  Faber,  1954),  pp.  52f,  36. 

2Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  Historia  Britan- 
niae,  IX,  1;  Cf.  Ill,  7. 

3This  was  Luernius,  in  Athenaeus,  Deip- 
nosoph.,  IV,  34,  15;  37   (152). 


4H.  D.  Jubainville,  The  Irish  Mythological 
Cycle  and  Celtic  Mythology  (Dublin,  1903), 
pp.  19-21,  72f,  76-93,  146-155;  Henry  Morris, 
"The  Partholon  Legend,"  ]nl.  Royal  Soc.  of 
Antiquaries,   LXVII    (June    1937),  57-72. 

5Jubainville,  op.  cit.,  pp.  91f.  Geoffrey,  op. 
cit.,  IX,  11. 

eChadwick,  Growth  of  Lit.,  pp.  66ff. 

7Geoffrey,  op.  cit.,  Ill,  7. 

8Joinville,  Chronicle  of  St.  Louis  (Every- 
man Edition),  pp.  148-9. 

"Goeffrey,   Bk.  ix. 

1GJohn  Rhys,  Celtic  Heathendom  (Hib- 
bert    Lectures,    1886),    pp.    608,    584,    412; 


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Jubainville,  op.  cit.,  pp.  15,  57,  60ff,  98;  J. 
Zwicker  (Ed.),  Fontes  Historiae  Religionis 
Celticae  (Berlin  1934),  ii,  143-4. 

"Geoffrey,  op.  cit.,  Ill,  5  (ed.  Griscom,  pp. 
28 Iff  for  the  Welsh  version) ;  Rhys,  op.  cit., 
p.  13. 

I2It  is  also  identical  with  a  tumulus  and 
subterranean  palace — the  world  of  the  dead 
to  which  the  ancient  Celts  were  so  attached. 
See  Jubainville,  op.  cit.,  pp.  146ff. 

"Geoffrey,  op.  cit.,  VI,  3-4  for  this  and  a 
great  deal  more  to  the  same  effect. 

"Rhys,  op.  cit.,  pp.  155ff,  160ff,  562;  Mary 
Williams,  "An  Early  Welsh  Ritual  Poem," 
Speculum,  XIII  (1938),  38ff;  A.  H.  Krappe, 
"Who  Was  the  Green  Knight?"  ibid.,  XIII, 
213ff;  R.  Heinzel,  "Ueber  die  franzozischen 
Gralromane,"  in  Wiener  Akad.  Denkschr. 
40  (1892);  and  especially  Von  Schroeder, 
"Die  Wurzeln  vom  hlg.  Gral,"  ibid.,  166 
(19I0f),  Pt.  i. 

15Thos.  Percy,  Essay  on  Ancient  Minstrels 
in  England,  iii. 

ll!This  whole  theme  is  treated  at  length 
by  Hermann  Schneider  in  two  works  which 
clearly  illustrate  the  complete  change  of 
thought  that  has  taken  place  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  epic  milieu  between  the  two 
dates  of  publication.  They  are  H.  Schnei- 
der, Germanische  Heldensage  (Berlin  & 
Leipzig,  1928),  pp.  1-42,  and  Heldendich- 
tung,  Geistlichendichtung  Ritterdichtung 
(Vol.  I  of  J.  Petersen  &  H.  Schneider, 
Geschichte  der  Deutschen  Literatur,  Heidel- 
berg:  Winter  1943),  pp.   1-37. 

"The  description  is  from  the  Formali,  the 
original  introduction  to  the  Prose  Edda. 

18In  the  Lokasenna,  the  eighth  poem  of 
the  Poetic  Edda. 

18J.  Grimm,  Teutonic  Mythology  (Ed.  J. 
Stallybrass,   1882),  III,  918-950. 

^This  description  of  Othinn  is  from  the 
5th  edition  of  Tiele-Sbderbloms  Kom- 
pendium  der  Religionsgeschichte  (Berlin- 
Schoneberg,  1920),  pp.  486-9. 

^Ibid.,  pp.  481-6. 

"Schneider,  Heldendichtung,  etc.,  p.   12. 

"Ibid.,  pp.  26-32. 

"Ibid.,  p.  31. 

2Ti.  V.  Gordon,  An  Introduction  to  Old 
Norse  (Oxford,  1927),  p.  liv. 

20We  have  discussed  this  in  Western  Po- 
litical Quarterly,  IV  (June  1951),  247-9. 

2'Priscus  Rhetor,  Legatio  ad  gentes,  in 
Migne,  Patrol.  Graec.  CXIII,  724,  732f,  737. 


858 


Coyotes  -  A  Tale  of  the  Hills 

(Continued   from   page   833) 

After  this,  I  was  positive  that  I 
could  see  the  demons  darting  hither 
and  thither  all  around  us.  I  thought 
so  again  when  father's  horse  gave  a 
quick  plunge  forward,  from  an  attack 
in  the  rear,  as  we  afterwards  learned. 
Luckily,  Father  had  a  good  hold  on 
the  reins.  Those  moments  seemed 
years!  Would  the  fog  never  leave 
and  give  us  an  opportunity  to  fight 
for  our  lives?  Why  should  we  be 
made  helpless  and  then  attacked? 

Our  horses  were  becoming  unman- 
ageable now,  and  we  felt  that  if  the 
THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


fog  continued  our  end  was  near.  I 
sat  stiff  in  my  saddle,  braced  against 
the  bridle  reins,  struggling  to  keep 
my  horse  under  control.  The  poor 
animals  were  terribly  frightened,  and 
they  quivered  until  their  knees  were 
almost  touching  the  ground. 

The  strain  was  becoming  unbear- 
able, with  the  horses  struggling  so 
fiercely.  Suddenly  there  came,  from 
a  seemingly  great  distance,  a  faint 
roar  as  of  rushing  wind.  Its  volume 
grew  until  we  felt  that  something 
desperate  would  soon  happen.  But 
it  gave  us  hope,  though  we  could  not 
imagine  what  it  was.  But  anything 
was  a  relief. 

Every  moment  the  sound  grew 
nearer,  until  it  seemed  suddenly  to 
burst  upon  us.  Then,  looking  ahead 
only  a  few  feet,  we  beheld  a  black 
mass  rushing  by.  From  the  sound, 
we  knew  it  was  a  band  of  wild  horses, 
followed  by  a  pack  of  hungry  demons. 
It  was  the  hand  of  Providence  in  the 
form  of  a  band  of  much  persecuted 
mustangs.  The  coyotes  that  were 
tormenting  us  fell  in  with  the  more 
exciting  game  and  left  us.  Thank 
God!  It  was  some  minutes,  however, 
before  we  knew  that  they  had  gone. 
As  the  roar  of  the  retreating  horses 
died  away,  and  no  further  attacks 
were  made  on  us,  we  began  to  realize 
that  we  were  saved. 

With  the  going  of  our  tormentors, 
the  fog  lifted,  or  rather,  blew  away, 
for  we  could  see  it — a  heavy  cloud 
stayed  in  its  progress  by  the  ridge  to 
the  east.  The  fog  lifted  from  our 
hearts,  also,  and  left  us  as  humble 
and  thankful  as  two  mortals  could 
be. 

All  around  we  beheld  the  tracks  of 
the  baffled  coyotes,  and  tracks  of 
blood  followed  the  prints  of  the  beast 
Father  had  struck.  We  estimated 
that  there  must  have  been  nearly  one 
hundred  horses  in  the  band,  by  the 
trail  they  left,  for,  owing  to  the  nu- 
merous hills  to  the  west,  we  could  not 
get  sight  of  the  animals  themselves. 

Another  mile  of  struggle,  and  we 
found  ourselves  ready  to  climb  the 
ridge  skirting  the  eastern  boundary 
of  the  basin.  The  ascent  was  steep, 
but  we  found  a  good  trail,  and  man- 
aged to  keep  out  of  the  deep  snow. 
Thus,  in  due  course  of  time,  we  were 
standing  on  the  brow  of  the  ridge, 
looking  back  with  trembling,  I  con- 
fess, on  my  part,  over  the  scenes  that 
had  been  so  horrible  to  us.  Away 
over,  across,  was  the  mountain  cov- 
ered with  heavy  timber,  and  just  un- 

NOVEMBER  1956 


der  the  timber's  edge,  stood  that  band 
of  horses,  glad  to  rest  after  their  wild 
chase.  We  could  observe  the  trail 
they  had  made  across  the  basin;  and 
not  more  than  one-quarter  of  a  mile 
from  where  we  were  imprisoned,  lay 
a  large  object.  Around  it,  like  a 
swarm  of  ants,  were  the  persistent 
coyotes,  feasting  on  the  carcass  of 
the  poor  horse. 


As  we  stood  thus,  thinking,  the  sun 
touched  the  top  of  yonder  mountain, 
and  creeping  slowly  down,  spread  its 
beneficent  rays  over  the  basin,  then 
climbed  up  to  us,  and  kissed  our 
weary  souls  with  that  golden  spirit 
which  only  the  weary  can  appreciate. 
Our  hearts  answered,  "Surely  we 
were  in  hell,  and  have  arisen  to 
heaven." 


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859 


Melchizedek  Priesthood 


Using  the  Standing  Committees  to  Save 

Precious  Souls 


THE  STANDING  COMMITTEES  ill  the 
Melchizedek  Priesthood  quorums 
have  an  important  part  to  play  in 
the  salvation  of  the  souls  of  quorum 
members  and  their  families. 

To  fail  to  use  these  committees  is 
to  fail  to  use  some  of  the  most  effec- 
tive "tools"  we  have  in  carrying  for- 
ward the  great  program  of  helping 
members  of  the  quorum  to  "work  out 
their  salvation"  through  participation 
in  the  program  of  the  Church. 

How  may  these  committees  be  thus 
used? 

The  Fact-Finding  Committee:  A 
wise  man  once  said:  "There  is  no 
substitute  for  facts,  so  get  the  facts." 

It  is  difficult  to  accomplish  any- 
thing if  one  works  in  the  dark.  Facts 
mean  information.  Information  means 
light,  and  light  means  greater  effi- 
ciency in  performing  the  task  at  hand. 

Since  there  is  no  more  important 
task  than  that  of  saving  souls,  there 
is  no  work  in  which  facts  and  light 
are  so  important.  What  was  it  the 
Savior  said  about  the  blind  who  lead 
the  blind?  Without  necessary  facts, 
without  the  beacon  of  light,  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  lead  one  to  salvation.  So  let 
us  get  the  facts. 

And  how  are  they  to  be  obtained? 
And  once  obtained  how  are  they  to 
be  used  in  this  program? 

To  assist  the  fact-finding  commit- 
tee in  the  performance  of  its  work, 
and  to  lay  a  pattern  for  assisting  in 
the  direction  of  the  reactivation  of 
men  who  have  slipped  into  inactivity, 
a  little  white  card  had  been  provided 
by  the  general  Melchizedek  Priest- 
hood committee.  This  card  helps  us 
to  record  vital  information  pertain- 
ing to  each  member  of  each  Melchize- 
dek Priesthood  quorum,  and  provides 
two  important  things:  One, — back- 
ground information  which  assists 
workers  to  make  an  intelligent  ap- 
proach to  an  inactive  man,  and  two, 
— information  as  to  whether  or  not 
the  individual  has  been  assigned  to 
any    kind    of    Church   work.      Some 

860 


men  are  inactive  because  they  have 
never  been  asked  to  do  anything. 

How  is  the  information  required 
for  these  cards  to  be  obtained?  By 
asking  the  men  themselves?  If  we  ap- 
proach an  inactive  man  and  ask  him 
for  this  information,  we  will  imme- 
diately put  him  on  notice  that  he  is 
the  subject  of  study  on  the  part  of  the 
quorum,  and  if  for  any  reason  he  at 
first  does  not  desire  to  be  "worked 
on,"  he  may  resist  our  entire  program 
with  determination. 

So  we  will  not  go  to  him.  We  shall 
skilfully  and  tactfully  obtain  the  in- 
formation through  active  quorum 
members  who  know  him;  we  will  go 
to  the  bishop,  who  will  authorize  us 
to  obtain  from  the  ward  clerk  facts 
and  figures  about  the  family  of  the 
man,  as  well  as  the  man  himself. 

For  whom  are  the  cards  to  be  filled 
out?  Inactive  men  only?  or  all  male 
members,  active  and  inactive  alike? 
For  all  members  of  the  quorum  is  the 
correct  answer. 

Who  keeps  these  cards,  once  they 
are  filled  out?  The  fact-finding  com- 
mittee will  keep  the  cards,  because 
these  brethren  will  want  to  keep  them 
up-to-date  as  men  move  in  and  out 
of  the  quorum,  and  as  their  activity 
status  changes  from  time  to  time. 

When  the  cards  are  filled  out  and 
in  the  hands  of  the  chairman  of  the 
committee,  what  is  the  next  step? 

The  committee  then  will  make  out 
a  recapitulation  sheet,  in  duplicate. 
This  sheet,  which  is  provided  by  the 
general  committee,  provides  room  for 
a  list  of  all  quorum  members,  together 
with  spaces  in  which  may  be  recorded 
all  Church  activity  in  which  each 
quorum  member  is  engaged.  At  the 
extreme  right  is  a  place  in  which  we 
may  show  if  a  man  is  not  assigned  to 
any  activity. 

One  copy  of  this  recapitulation 
sheet  should  be  sent  to  the  quorum 
president  to  be  studied  by  him  and 
his  counselors,  and  the  other  copy 
should  be  sent  by  the  quorum  presi- 


dent to  the  stake  president,  so  that 
the  stake  president,  who  is  chairman 
of  the  stake  Melchizedek  Priesthood 
committee,  may  know  the  status  of 
all  priesthood  holders  in  the  stake, 
and  watch  the  progress  being  made 
to  reactivate  those  not  engaged  regu- 
larly in  Church  work. 

The  quorum  presidency  will  study 
the  recapitulation  sheet  and,  noting 
the  list  of  men  not  assigned  to  any 
Church  activity,  will  call  for  the  cards 
of  those  men  not  assigned.  These 
cards  will  be  the  basis  of  further  study. 

Some  thoroughly  worthy  men  may 
be  in  the  unassigned  list,  having  just 
returned  from  military  service,  re- 
cently been  released  from  missions, 
newly  moved  into  the  ward,  or  newly 
released  from  positions  in  the  ward  or 
stake. 

Since  such  is  often  the  case,  and 
since  some  good  men  may  never  have 
been  asked  to  work,  and  are  therefore 
idle,  the  quorum  presidency  will  seek 
an  interview  with  the  ward  bishopric, 
so  that  they  may  study  together  all 
possibilities  of  assigning  these  men 
some  kind  of  responsibility  in  the 
ward.  It  may  be  in  ward  teaching, 
on  the  welfare  farm,  or  in  some 
auxiliary  organization.  It  may  have 
to  do  with  Aaronic  Priesthood,  either 
for  the  senior  members  or  those  under 
twenty-one. 

There  will  be  some  men  not  as- 
signed through  such  a  consultation. 
The  next  step  will  be  for  the  quorum 
presidency  to  develop  quorum  projects 
in  which  as  many  of  the  remaining 
men  as  possible  may  be  engaged.  All 
members  of  the  quorum  may  well  be 
assigned  to  work  on  quorum  projects, 
but  particular  effort  should  be  made 
to  employ  unassigned  men  on  these 
activities. 

Herein  is  the  opportunity  for  the 
other  standing  committees  of  the 
quorum  to  become  active  in  the  pro- 
gram of  saving  the  souls  of  the  men. 

It  is  well  understood  that  in  any 
type  of  organization,  it  is  activity 
which  promotes  and  maintains  inter- 
est. If  the  organization  is  interesting, 
members  will  attend.  If  it  is  not  in- 
teresting, they  will  not  come.  Projects 
promoted  by  the  quorum  can  make 
these    quorums    interesting    and    at- 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


tractive  and  insure  attendance  and 
participation. 

Let  us  take  a  quick  glimpse  into 
the  work  of  these  other  standing  com- 
mittees: 

Church  Service  Committee:  The 
object  of  this  committee  is  what  the 
name  itself  implies,  that  is,  to  engage 
in  Church  activity  all  the  members 
of  the  quorum. 

Recently  there  was  distributed  to 
the  quorums  throughout  the  Church 
a  lengthy  list  of  suggested  Church 
service  projects.  It  was  not  intended 
that  all  of  these  suggestions  be 
adopted  by  any  one  quorum,  but 
rather  that  they  form  the  basis  upon 
which  quorums  might  develop  their 
own  projects  best  adapted  to  local 
needs  and  conditions.  Every  quorum 
presidency  'should  see  to  it  that  the 
list  sent  out  is  studied  carefully  by 
the  Church  service  committee,  which 
in  turn  will  make  recommendations 
to  the  quorum  presidency  for  their 
consideration  and  action. 

These  Church  service  projects  may 
include  fund-raising  to  assist  in  the 
missionary  program  of  the  Church. 
They  may  be  directed  toward  the  de- 
velopment of  more  interest  in  the 
weekly  meetings  of  the  quorums;  they 
may  stimulate  wider  participation  in 
class  discussions  of  the  regular  les- 
son course;  they  may  encourage  home 
reading  of  gospel  subjects;  and  many 
other  activities. 

Personal  Welfare  Committee:  An- 
other lengthy  list  of  suggestions  was 


recently  distributed  to  all  quorum 
presidencies,  pertaining  to  the  work 
of  the  personal  welfare  committee. 
These  valuable  suggestions,  if  fol- 
lowed, would  lead  to  intense  interest 
on  the  part  of  the  quorum  members. 
They  would  develop  a  greater  spirit 
of  brotherhood  through  mutual  help- 
fulness, and  would  relieve  much  dis- 
tress where  it  exists.  In  addition  to 
that,  considerable  assistance  would  be 
given  to  the  bishop  of  each  ward  in 
his  work  as  chairman  of  the  ward 
welfare  committee  in  the  Church 
welfare  program. 

The  chairman  of  each  of  the  three 
standing  committees  should  obtain 
from  the  stake  presidency  lists  of  these 
project  suggestions  if  he  has  not  al- 
ready received  them.  Requests  should 
go  through  the  quorum  president  to 
the  stake  president. 

The  quorum  president  is  always 
chairman  of  the  personal  welfare 
committee.  His  counselors  head  the 
other  two  committees.  Whenever  the 
presidency  holds  a  council  meeting, 
all  three  committees  are  therefore  rep- 
resented. 

Purpose  of  Projects:  Projects  are  in- 
tended primarily  to  promote  interest 
in  the  quorum  as  a  whole.  They 
should  maintain  the  interest  of  the 
men  already  attending  to  their  quo- 
rum duties.  They  should  also  en- 
gage the  interest  of  reactivated  men 
newly  brought  back  into  the  quorum, 
and  they  should  form  a  basis  on 
which  to  hold  the  attention  and  in- 


terest of  new  ciders  recently  advanced 
from  the  priests'  quorum. 

The  Next  Step:  Try  as  we  will, 
there  still  may  be  some  unassigned 
men  who  will  not  respond  to  invita- 
tions to  work  on  either  ward  assign- 
ments or  quorum  projects.  How  are 
they  to  be  interested? 

This  is  where  the  "personal  mis- 
sionary approach"  comes  in.  This 
program,  being  stressed  particularly 
during  the  past  nine  months,  is  in- 
tended to  be  a  confidential  means  of 
bringing  in  men  through  a  casual, 
friendly  approach.  Sincere  friend- 
ship may  lead  to  a  breaking  down  of 
prejudices  and  eventually  to  a  re- 
enlistment  of  interest  and  activity 
where  previously  such  interest  was 
nonexistent. 

The  "personal  missionary  ap- 
proach" is  intended  primarily  for  those 
who  do  not  respond  to  other  types  of 
approach  as  described  above.  It 
should  be  handled  with  great  care. 
The  assignments  should  be  carried 
out  in  a  confidential  manner. 

It  provides  a  means  whereby  quo- 
rum members  may  be  good  neigh- 
bors to  other  quorum  members,  and 
in  this  practical  manner,  apply  true 
Christianity  to  everyday  living. 

The  quorum  presidency  will  take 
the  lead  in  assigning  active  men  to 
labor  in  this  program  with  unassigned 
men,  using  the  standing  committees 
to  promote  activities  which  will  be- 
come interesting  to  the  men  as  they 
begin  to  respond. 


The  Tabernacle  Choir 


(Concluded   from   page   813) 

1944  Tabernacle  choir  program  was  ranked  second  in  religious 
programs  (topped  by  "Church  of  the  Air")  in  the  annual 
report  to  the  stockholders  of  the  Columbia  Broadcasting 
System. 

1944  April  30  choir  received  annual  George  Foster  Peabody  Award, 
for  most  outstanding  entertainment  in  music.  Award  was 
announced  by  the  University  of  Georgia  as  one  of  the  seven 
citations  to  radio  programs. 

1944  July  29,  choir  received  "certificate  of  merit"  from  National 
Federation  of  Press  Women. 

1944  Choir  presented  The  Creation  with  symphony  orchestra  as 
feature  of  Days  of  '47  in  University  of  Utah  stadium. 

1947  Choir  was  featured  in  the  centennial  celebration  of  San 
Bernardino,  leaving  Salt  Lake  City,  October  8th. 

1948  Approximately  five  thousand  people  attended  the  one  thou- 
sandth broadcast  Sunday  morning  October  17.  Church  and 
civic  leaders  were  present. 

1949  (June)  Music  for  two  "Anniversary  Albums"  was  recorded. 
Albums  released  October  5,  1949,  and  March  20,  1950. 

1949  July  17,  Dr.  Frank  Stanton,  president  of  CBS,  participated 
in  the  broadcast  in  recognition  of  the  twentieth  anniversary 

NOVEMBER  1956 


of  the  radio  program,  and  later  presented  an  encased  gold 
phonograph  record  plaque  bearing  the  inscription:  "July  15, 
1949.  To  the  Salt  Lake  Tabernacle  choir  from  CBS.  In 
gratitude  of  20  magnificent  years  on  the  air." 

1949-1950-1951-1952     Brahams'   Requiem  sung   on  Easter. 

795/  Choir  named  recipient  (May  16)  of  the  major  award  for 
national  musical  service  by  one  of  the  National  Federation 
of  Music  clubs.  Choir  presented  Requiem  for  the  organiza- 
tion's convention. 


7952 


7953 


7954 


7955 


7956 


Music   recorded   for 
sound  recording. 


Cinerama.     First  six-track  sterophonic 


Choir  presented  three  concerts  in  Las  Vegas  to  assist  in 
raising  funds  for  the  Moapa  Stake  youth  center. 

First  television  program,  "See  It  Now,"  celebrated  twenty- 
fifth  year  of  broadcasting  July  15.  September  announcement 
of  European  tour. 


August  10,  choir  of  361  voices  left  for  European  tour, 
fourteen  concerts  in  twelve  major  cities. 


Gave 


July  12  choir  departed  for  Denver,  Colorado,  where  it  pre- 
sented three  concerts  and  its  regular  weekly  radio  program 
from  adjacent  Red  Rocks. 

861 


The 


Presiding 


Study  Guide  For  Ward  Teachers 
November  1956 

"Remember  the  Sabbath  Day  to  Keep  It  Holy" 

You  will  recall  that  when  God  created  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  ".  .  .  he 
rested  on  the  seventh  day  from  all  his  work  which  he  had  made.    And 
God  blessed  the  seventh  day,  and  sanctified  it.  .  .  ."  (Gen.  2:2-3.) 

The  observance  of  the  Sabbath  day,  therefore,  is  commended  to  the 
children  of  men  from  the  very  foundation  of  the  world. 

In  the  commandment  to  honor  it,  as  recorded  in  Exodus  20:8,  there  are 
three  strong  words:  Remember — Keep — Holy. 

1.  We  are  asked,  first  of  all,  to  remember  the  day — to  be  aware  of  its 
significance — to  appreciate  the  privilege  of  having  it.  If  we  had  no  Sabbath — 
if  every  day  were  a  workday — how  we  would  hanker  after  a  day  of  respite. 
How  wonderful  that  the  Creator  planned  for  us  a  day  of  rest — a  day  for 
meditation  and  the  renewing  of  covenants.  However  busy  we  become — 
however  great  our  obligations — it  is  wise — not  by  way  of  compulsion — but 
out  of  choice — to  remember  the  Sabbath  day. 

2.  In  the  second  place,  we  are  asked  to  keep  the  day.  To  hold  in  re- 
membrance its  meaning.  To  keep  a  day  is  to  make  of  it  something  special. 
We  keep  birthdays  and  anniversaries.  We  keep  Christmas!  It  is  a  mark  of 
character,  of  gentility,  of  supreme  trust  in  and  appreciation  of  the  goodness 
of  God — to  keep  the  Sabbath  as  a  day  apart  from  all  other  days. 

3.  We  are  asked  to  keep  the  day  holy.  It  is  to  be  a  holy  day — not  a 
holiday. 

Any  thoughtful  man  can  appreciate  the  fitness  of  reading  one  of  the 
gospels  or  attending  a  sacramental  service  as  against  going  to  a  ball  game,  a 
horse  race,  or  participating  in  the  entertainment  of  a  tavern. 

To  make  of  Sunday  a  holy  day  is  not  to  make  it  a  dull  day.  A  person 
can  rest — he  can  read  sacred  scriptures — he  can  enjoy  the  association  of 
choice  friends — he  can  call  upon  the  sick  and  the  unfortunate — he  can,  above 
all  things,  take  himself  to  the  house  of  the  Lord — there  to  partake  of  the 
sacred  emblems  of  the  Sacrament — to  sing  the  songs  of  Zion,  to  share  in  the 
rich  fellowship  of  wonderful  friends,  to  meditate  the  meaning  of  life  and 
project  his  possibilities  into  an  eternal  exaltation.  No  need  to  go  to  the 
movies  on  Sunday — there  are  six  other  days  for  that. 

Remember  that  the  Lord,  himself,  assured  us  that  the  Sabbath  should 
be  sensibly  interpreted: 

And  he  said  unto  them,  The  sabbath  was  made  for  man,  and  not  man  for 
the  sabbath: 

Therefore  the  Son  of  man  is  Lord  also  of  the  sabbath.  (Mark  2:27,  28.) 

To  appreciate  more  fully  the  rich  promises  given  to  those  who 

Remember  the  sabbath  day,  to  keep  it  holy. 

read  again:  Isaiah  58:13,  14;  Ezekiel  20:20;  Mosiah  18:23;  D.  &  C.  59:10-12. 

But  learn  that  he  who  doeth  the  works  of  righteousness  shall  receive  his  reward, 
even  peace  in  this  world,  and  eternal  life  in  the  world  to  come.   (D.  &  C.  59.23.) 

INTRODUCTION  OF  STUDY  GUIDE  FOR  DECEMBER  1956 

Modesty  and  Virtue 

Know  ye  not  that  ye  are  the  temple  of  God,  and  that  the  Spirit  of  God  dwelleth 
in  you? 

If  any  man  defile  the  temple  of  God,  him  shall  God  destroy;  for  the  temple 
of  God  is  holy,  which  temple  ye  are.  (I  Cor.  3:16-17.) 

All  of  us,  old  and  young,  should  realize  the  absolute  necessity  for  purity  of  life 
in  the  Church  and  kingdom  of  God.  Virtue  is  the  foundation  of  character.  It  is 
vital  that  we  are  virtuous  in  thought  as  well  as  in  deed.  Modesty,  too,  is  very 
essential.    It  is  that  quality  which  gives  us  a  sense  of  propriety. 


President  David  O.  McKay 

SPIRIT  OF  THE  LORD 

MUST  PROMPT  WARD  TEACHERS 

WHEN  ASKING  QUESTIONS 

"One  day,  when  my  brother  and  I  were 
in  our  teens,  we  were  ready  to  leave  the 
barnyard  and  go  out  to  the  field  for  a  load 
of  hay.  Father  came  out,  shut  the  gate  be- 
hind him,  and  then  looking  towards  the  side- 
walk, saw  two  men  coming  towards  the 
house.  He  recognized  them  as  ward  teach- 
ers, Al  Sprague  and  Eli  Tracy.  He  said, 
'Boys,  there  are  the  ward  teachers,  tie  up 
your  team,  and  come  into  the  house.' 
Though  we  demurred,  we  obeyed.  Seated 
as  a  family,  we  heard  our  father  say,  'Now 
brethren,  we  are  in  your  hands.' 

"I  give  you  the  picture.  Now  I  give  you 
what  the  teacher  said:  He  started  with  my 
father,  who  was  the  bishop  of  the  ward, 
and  asked  him  if  he  was  doing  his  duty; 
if  he  was  living  in  harmony  with  his  neigh- 
bors; if  he  was  sustaining  the  authorities. 
He  asked  Mother  questions  about  doing  her 
duty,  and  he  went  from  the  parents  to  each 
child  who  sat  around  in  that  meeting. 

"Those  teachers  emphasized  one  part  of 
their  duty.  First,  Father  submitted  him- 
self to  them,  for  they  came  as  his  repre- 
sentatives and  would  be  in  every  home. 
Their  duty  was  to  see  that  'each  member 
does  his  duty.'  Now  that  takes  tact  and 
some  of  you  say  for  teachers  so  to  question 
the  people  gives  offense.  I  grant  you  all 
that,  and  I  am  not  going  to  discuss  it.  But 
the  Lord  has  asked  you  to  do  just  that  thing. 
How  you  do  it,  the  inspiration  of  the  Lord 
must  prompt."  (President  David  O.  McKay, 
General    Conference,    April    1956.) 


Challenging  Record 


862 


Gary  Hack 

Gary,  a  teacher  in  the  Tucson  Third 
Ward,  Southern  Arizona  Stake,  has  at- 
tended all  priesthood  and  Sacrament 
meetings  in  his  ward  since  he  was  or- 
dained a  deacon,  November  1,  1953. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Bishoprics  Page 


Prepared  by  Lee  A.  Palmer 


Aaronic  Priesthood  Award 

New  Award  Requirements 
for  1956  Reviewed 

The  end  of  the  year  is  near.  Our 
award  records  for  1956  are  nearly 
finished.  The  new  requirements,  effec- 
tive January  1,  1956,  should  be  given 
careful  review  as  follows: 

1.  The  minimum  required  attendance 
at  Sacrament  meeting  was  increased 
from  50  percent  to  75  percent,  effective 
January  1,  1956.  (Requirement  number 
two.) 

2.  Requirement  number  six  is  new.  It 
specifies  that  every  bearer  of  the  Aaronic 
Priesthood  under  21  must  attend  the 
annual  tithing  settlement  in  his  ward 
and  settle  his  tithing  account  with  the 
bishop,  whether  he  has  earned  money 
or  not  or  whether  he  has  paid  tithing  or 
not.  No  one  is  exempt  from  this  re- 
quirement who  hopes  to  receive  the  in- 
dividual Aaronic  Priesthood  award  for 
1956. 

3.  A  deacon  must  gather  fast  offerings 
at  least  75  percent  of  the  months  he  is 
a  deacon  during  the  year.  (Requirement 
number  nine.)  This  requirement  was 
changed  from  50  percent  to  75  percent, 
effective  January  1,  1956. 

4.  A  priest  or  a  teacher  must  serve 
as  a  ward  teacher  and  visit  in  the  homes 
of  the  Saints  at  least  75  percent  of  the 
months  he  is  a  priest  or  a  teacher  dur- 
ing the  year.  (Requirement  number 
nine.)  This  requirement  was  changed 
from  50  percent  to  75  percent,  effective 
January  1,  1956. 

For  a  complete  list  of  requirements  for 
1956,  see  Handbook  for  Leaders  of 
Aaronic  Priesthood  under  21  (1956  edi- 
tion), pp.  55-59. 

Ward  Teaching 

"Perfect  Love  Casteth  Out  Fear" 

Are  you  as  a  ward  teacher  easily  dis- 
couraged? Are  you  afraid  to  defend 
the  gospel?  Are  you  timid  in  the  pres- 
ence of  indifferent  members?  Do  you 
lack  confidence?  Are  you  true  to  your 
convictions?  Do  you  agree  with  some 
people,  knowing  in  your  heart  they  are 
wrong?  Are  you  afraid  to  oppose  people? 
Do  you  give  up  too  easily?  Does  your 
conscience  protest  when  you  take  the 
easy  way  out? 

NOVEMBER  1956 


Suggestions  for  Passing  the  Sacrament 
First  to  the  Highest  Authority 

Passing  the  Sacrament  first  to  the  highest  authority  "who  is  sitting  on  the  stand" 
deserves  more  careful  attention. 

The  following  suggestions  will  be  helpful  in  effecting  the  desired  uniformity 
in  complying  with  the  recommendation. 

1.  When  the  deacon  receives  his  tray  from  the  priests  at  the  Sacrament  table, 
he  should  immediately  proceed  to  his  assigned  position  in  the  chapel,  face  the 
stand,  and  wait  until  the  deacon  assigned  to  pass  the  Sacrament  to  those  sitting 
on  the  stand  serves  the  highest  authority  first. 

2.  It  should  be  especially  noted  that  the  deacon  assigned  to  pass  the  Sacrament 
on  -the  stand  should  take  his  position  and  wait  until  all  other  deacons  have  reached 
their  assigned  positions  and  are  facing  the  stand. 

3.  When  the  highest  authority  "who  is  sitting  on  the  stand"  has  received  the 
bread  (water)  first,  then  all  deacons  will  immediately  proceed  to  pass  the  Sacrament 
to  all  other  members  of  the  Church  on  the  stand  and  in  the  congregation. 

For  further  suggestions  see  the  Presiding  Bishopric's  Page  in  The  Improvement 
Era  for  June  1955  and  the  Handbook  for  Leaders  of  Aaronic  Priesthood  Under  21, 
pp.  80-81. 


WANSHIP  WARD,  SUMMIT  (UTAH)   STAKE  SETS  THREE-YEAR  RECORD 
IN  ATTENDANCE  AT  AARONIC  PRIESTHOOD  SOCIALS 


Enjoy  Aaronic  Priesthood  Socials.  For  three  years  the  Aaronic  Priesthood  bearers  and 
their  leaders  in  the  Wanship  Ward  have  set  the  highest  ward  attendance  records  at  Summit 
Stake  Aaronic  Priesthood  socials:  Their  attendance  records  are:  1956 — 100  percent;  1955 — 
84  percent;  1954 — 100  percent.  In  the  1956  stake  social,  a  father  and  sons  banquet,  not  only 
were  all  Aaronic  Priesthood  bearers  present,  but  all  fathers  of  the  boys  were  present. 

Included  in  the  photo  are  Bishop  William  Reed  Judd,  back  row,  third  from  right  and 
his  two  counselors,  LaMar  Ercanbrock  and  George  A.  Smith;  quorum  advisers  and  quorum 
presidencies. 


■»  » 


You  handicap  yourself  when  you  lose 
confidence  in  your  ability  to  achieve. 
Fear  and  faith  are  not  companions.  Why 
should  you  fear  teaching  the  truth? 
Ward  teachers  are  fortified  with  the 
priesthood,  which  is  God's  power.  They 
are  also  endowed  with  the  spirit  of  in- 
spiration. Fear  is  overcome  in  the 
faithful  performance  of  duty. 

The  greatest  of  all  teachers  was  never 


possessed  of  fear.  Throughout  the  mis- 
sion of  the  Master,  he  demonstrated 
fearlessness.  Although  the  Savior  stood 
alone  most  of  the  time,  his  great  love  for 
us  led  him  to  perform  his  duty  faith- 
fully. If  you  love  those  whom  you  are 
expected  to  teach,  as  you  should,  you 
will  have  no  fear.  "There  is  no  fear 
in  love;  but  perfect  love  casteth  out 
fear."  (1  John  4:18.) 

863 


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you  choose,  come  in  to  Daynes  Music  for 
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To  Walk  Uprightly 


(Concluded  from  page  823) 
pie    of    dreamy    boys    visiting    here. 
They've  asked  me  to  get  another  girl. 
Would  you  go  with  us?" 

Marie,  feeling  her  eighteen  years, 
answered,  "Yes,  I  guess  so."  She 
was  about  to  add,  "I'll  have  to  ask  my 
folks,"  but  she  kriew  this  would  sound 
silly  to  her  friend.  She  said  good-bye 
and  went  into  the  house  to  kiss  her 
parents  before  going  to  bed. 

But  she  lay  awake  for  awhile 
thinking  about  the  blind  date,  won- 
dering if  this  first  decision  "on  her 
own"  had  been  a  wise  one. 

The  preparation  meeting  was  com- 
ing to  a  close.  One  of  the  teachers 
was  asked  to  offer  the  prayer  asking 
that  they  might  be  protected,  guided 
until  they  met  again. 

Marie  stood  up  with  the  others 
who  spoke  to  her,  told  her  their 
names,  welcomed  her  into  their  group. 
She  felt  good,  really  good.  She  went 
out  into  the  hall  and  started  toward 
the  door.  Then  suddenly  she  re- 
membered that  Debbie  and  the  boys 
were  to  pick  her  up  here  to  go  for 
a  ride  in  the  canyon. 


Union  City,  Indiana 


■  ♦  ■ 

CALL    OF    THE    PIBROCHS 
By  C.  Cameron  Johns 

In  the  way  everlasting 
Let  temples  rise. 
Eye  with  new  vision 
The  bitter  death. 

Willows  weep  in  the  glen 

Where  waters  hum  hymns 
Like  a  choir  of  men. 
Kilted  and  tartaned, 
Sporran  steady, 
Chiefs   of   the   clan  wait 
Malcolm.     Malcolm 

Stand  on  ironed  hearth 
Invincible  as  oat 
In  fields  of  earth. 
Crying   ages    are   hushed 
In  angel  light, 
And  watchers  praise 
Your  name. 

The  pibrochs'  lusty  tones 
Awake  choirs,  hymnals,  praise, 
They  call  the  multitudes  .  .  . 
Every  thousand  years  mighty  clan 
Uproaring  the  greens 
Marching  to  the  song 
Of  Malcolm. 

Surge,  sail,  and  sun  the  lakes. 
With  sound   of  voice 
And  white  of  hair 
Belie  the  black  night. 
Thirty  flung  centuries 
Shall  temple-praise 
With  Malcolm. 


864 


Her  step  that  had  been  swift  and 
easy  slowed  a  little  as  she  went 
through  the  door  amid  the  clatter  of 
voices,  as  the  women  went  their 
separate  ways. 

Then  she  was  out  on  the  step.  She 
looked  about  at  the  parked  cars  on 
every  side  of  the  chapel.  She  saw  the 
smart,  two-tone  convertible  on  the 
other  side  of  the  street.  Debbie  and 
the  two  boys — who  weren't  boys  at 
all,  really,  but  young  men  at  least 
four  or  five  years  older  than  she — 
were  sitting  in  the  front  seat,  laugh- 
ing and  talking.  It  came  over  her. 
swiftly  how  much  fun  it  would  be 
riding  through  the  warm,  beautiful 
day  in  the  conspicuous  red-  and 
cream-colored  car. 

And  yet,  somehow,  as  she  looked 
at  Debbie's  bright  hair,  and  the  make- 
up that  was  visible  even  from  here, 
and  the  two  strangers,  she  knew  she 
didn't  really  want  to  go.  She  didn't 
want  all  these  women  and  girls  to 
see  her  get  into  the  car.  Particularly, 
she  didn't  want  the  Sunday  School 
superintendent  to  see  her.  It  was  an 
instinctive  thing  she  supposed,  based 
on  the  fact  that  she  knew,  even  if 
they  didn't,  that  this  was  a  blind  date, 
a  pickup  almost.  She  had  never  gone 
out  like  this  before,  and  she  couldn't 
do  it  now,  not  without  her  parents' 
approval  or  knowledge,  not  with  the 
feeling  deep  within  her  that  it 
wouldn't  quite  be  right. 

Since  Debbie  had  not  seen  her, 
she  turned  swiftly  in  the  opposite  di- 
rection. If  she  cut  through  the  block, 
they  would  not  see  her,  and  she  felt 
certain  that  they  would  not  come  to 
the  house  if  they  did  not  find  her 
here. 

After  a  few  moments  her  step 
slowed,  and  she  realized  she  must 
return  and  tell  them  she  couldn't  go 
with  them. 

Debbie,  perhaps,  could  never  un- 
derstand it.  Perhaps,  Marie  didn't 
quite  understand  it  herself.  She  just 
knew  that  she  felt  good,  as  she  had 
felt  this  morning,  and  on  her  birth- 
day, and  in  the  meeting.  She  felt 
proud,  and  right.  She  was  able  to 
look  at  all  the  world — and,  as  her 
father  had  told  her — to  walk  up- 
rightly. 

After  all,  it  was  a  serious  thing  to 
come  of  age  and  to  make  her  own 
decisions. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Man  and  the  Gospel 

(Concluded  from  page  822) 
thority  was  not  on  earth  to  admin- 
ister its  sacraments  must  assent  to  it 
in  their  minds  and  accept  it  in  their 
hearts  wherever  they  may  be;  while 
the  outward  ordinances  thereof  must 
be  performed  on  this  earth  by  those 
authorized  to  act  for  and  in  behalf  of 
them.  This  acceptance  of  the  gospel 
applies  to  all  those  who  have  not 
died  in  a  state  of  perfect  innocence. 
Those  who  have  died  in  their  inno- 
cence are  saved  to  the  uttermost  by 
virtue  alone  of  the  atonement  of  Jesus 
Christ — on  such  justice  has  no  claim 
whatsoever.  They  rest  secure  in  the 
arms  of  God's  mercy. 

This  is  the  teaching  of  the  Holy 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ — the  gospel 
she  is  teaching  to  the  living,  the 
sacraments  of  which  she  is  adminis- 
tering both  to  the  living  and  for  the 
dead;  for  having  received  through 
her  first  great  prophet,  Joseph  Smith, 
the  keys  of  divine  authority,  and  espe- 
cially those  which  pertain  to  the  sal- 
vation of  the  dead,  she  is  carrying  on 
the  work  of  redemption  both  in  this 
and  in  the  spirit  world;  and  her 
especial  mission  is  to  unite  all  dis- 
pensations that  are  passed  with  this 
present  Dispensation  of  the  Fulness 
of  Times,  of  which  she  is  the  ex- 
ponent. Her  mission  is  to  link  fam- 
ily with  family  and  generation  with 
generation,  until  all  the  chains  are 
complete  which  shall  bind  the  whole 
race  of  men  and  women  in  bonds  of 
love  and  salvation  to  our  Father  and 
our  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord. 


WIND  THE  WIZARD 
By  Maude  Rubin 

Ue  wields  a  flashing  sword,  two-edged,  ice- 
whetted, 

Flailing  the  quaking  aspens'   naked   limbs 

To  matchwood  tinder.  The  static  pine  is 
fretted 

By  lunging  stab  and  thrust.  Persistence 
trims 

The  poplar's  lush  endowment  leaving  stark- 
ness 

Where  pendant  crystal  hung  through  sum- 
mer  rains. 

Low  sun-fire  pales  to  early  prescient  dark- 
ness, 

Great  tumbleweeds  leap  high  across  the 
plains. 

Over  the  swampland  screams  a  swooping 
blizzard 

Harrying  green-winged  teal  in  arrowed 
flight 

To  some  far  marsh  of  refuge.  .  .  .  Wind  the 
Wizard 

Threatens  to  end  the  earth  with  demon 
might. 

But  morning's  wand  is  gentle,  spreading 
light 

On  the  silent  calmness  of  this  world  of 
white. 

NOVEMBER  1956 


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Idaho  Glass  &  Paint  Co.,  Pocatello 

Twin  Falls  Glass  &  Paint  Co. 


865 


The  First  Presidency 


(Continued  from  page  785) 
of  bishops  was  expressly  revealed. 
"Wherefore  they  shall  be  high  priests 
who  are  worthy,  and  they  shall  be 
appointed  by  the  First  Presidency  of 
the  Melchizedek  Priesthood,  except 
they  be  literal  descendants  of  Aaron." 
(D  &  C  68:15.)  The  responsibilities 
of  the  Council  of  the  Twelve  and  of 
the  Seventy  were  clearly  defined  in  the 
revelation  recorded  in  section  107  of 
the  Doctrine  and  Covenants: 


"The  Twelve  are  a  Traveling  Pre- 
siding High  Council,  to  officiate  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord,  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  Presidency  of  the 
Church,  agreeable  to  the  institution 
of  heaven;  to  build  up  the  church,  and 
regulate  all  the  affairs  of  the  same  in 
all  nations,  first  unto  the  Gentiles 
and  secondly  unto  the  Jews. 

"The  Seventy  are  to  act  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  under  the  direction 


Proof  of  Clarin's  exceptional 
long  term  economy  is  the  un- 
rivalled ten  year  guarantee 
that  accompanies  every  Clarin 
folding  chair. 


Whatever  the  age  group,  there  is  a  qualify 
Clarin  chair  just  right  for  the  purpose.  Seat 
heights  graduate  each  inch  from  12  through 

18  inches. 

Write  for  complete  catalog. 


CLARIN 


MANUFACTURING    COMPANY 


Dept.  65    4640  W.  Harrison  St.,  Chicago  44,  Illinois 


Let  Us  Demonstrate  The  CLARIN  Folding  Chair 

WE  ALSO  SELL 
•   Heywood-Wakefield  Choir  Seating 

•   Church  Pews      •   Folding  Partitions 

•   Flannelboards      •    Blackboards     •   Stage  Curtains 
•    Paper  and  Janitorial  Supplies 

•   Mimeograph  &  Ditto  Machines 


&    SUPPLY    COMPANY 

SALT   LAKE     *      OGDEN      *      IDAHO   FALLS 


866 


of  the  Twelve  or  the  traveling  high 
council,  in  building  up  the  church 
and  regulating  all  the  affairs  of  the 
same  in  all  nations,  first  unto  the 
Gentiles  and  then  to  the  Jews." 
(D  &  C  107:33-34.) 

How  heartbreaking  it  must  have 
been  for  the  Prophet,  following  the 
perfecting  of  the  Church  and  the 
organization  of  the  priesthood  re- 
sponsibilities, to  have  some  of  those 
who  labored  closest  to  him  fall  vic- 
tims to  the  apostasy  that  crept  into 
the  Church!  He  must  have  thought 
often  of  that  verse  in  the  Bible  when 
the  Savior  was  left  alone:  "Then  all 
the  disciples  forsook  him,  and  fled." 
(Matt.  26:56.) 

But  the  work  of  the  restored  gospel 
must  go  forward,  and  in  the  face  of 
personal  disloyalty  the  Prophet  or- 
ganized again  to  fulfil  the  calling  that 
had  come  as  a  responsibility  in  his 
leadership  of  the  Church. 

Early  in  the  organization  of  the 
Church,  therefore,  the  pattern  was 
set  concerning  the  duties  of  the  First 
Presidency.  Theirs  is  the  responsi- 
bility for  the  entire  working  of  the 
Church,  both  spiritual  and  natural: 
the  missionary  system,  the  welfare 
program,  the  priesthood  organization, 
the  auxiliary  system.  As  the  Church 
has  grown,  the  responsibilities  have 
remained  essentially  the  same,  but  the 
administration  of  these  responsibili- 
ties has  multiplied  manyfold.  Now 
the  Church  is  world-wide,  and  Saints 
in  distant  parts  must  be  considered 
in  all  plans  that  go  forward. 

One  brief  example  might  illustrate. 
When  the  Church  was  in  its  early 
stages,  plans  were  perfected  for  one 
temple  at  Kirtland,  Ohio,  and  another 
was  built  at  Nauvoo,  Illinois.  Today 
two  temples  are  being  erected  in  far- 
distant  parts  of  the  earth:  one  in 
Newchapel,  England,  and  one  near 
Hamilton,  New  Zealand.  Two  other 
temples  have  been  recently  dedicated: 
in  Bern,  Switzerland,  and  in  Los 
Angeles,  California.  Temples  serve 
the  Saints  in  Utah,  where  there  are 
four  temples;  in  Idaho,  in  Arizona,  in 
Canada,  in  Hawaii,  where  there  is 
one  temple  each;  and  others  are  in 
prospect  for  other  areas.  The  ad- 
ministrative situation  for  temples 
alone  has  multiplied  rapidly.  Other 
activities  likewise  have  added  respon- 
sibilities as  the  Church  has  grown 
throughout  the  years  and  in  the 
various  countries. 

Language   barriers  have  gradually 

dissolved  before  the  persistent  efforts 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


of  the  First  Presidency,  who  have  di- 
rected the  opening  of  missions  in  most 
of  the  European  countries,  South 
Africa,  South  American  countries, 
and  the  islands  of  the  sea.  The  first 
Presidency  is  the  directing  head;  the 
other  Councils  carry  forward  their 
specific  assignments.  Truly,  the  First 
Presidency  is  inspired  in  the  work 
that  continually  goes  forward  under 
their  direction.  Each  First  Presidency 
has  recognized  the  urgency  with 
which  the  revelation  came  to  the 
Prophet: 

"For  behold  the  field  is  white  al- 
ready to  harvest;  and  lo,  he  that 
thrusteth  in  his  sickle  with  his  might, 
the  same  layeth  up  in  store  that  he 
perisheth  not,  but  bringeth  salvation 
to  his  soul; 

"And  faith,  hope,  charity  and  love, 
with  an  eye  single  to  the  glory  of 
God,  qualify  him  for  the  work." 
(D  &  C  4:4-5.) 


ON  MY  MORNING  WINDOW 

By  Maude  Rubin 

Cummer's  passing  is  watched 
By  the  gull  and  the  tern, 
But  nothing  of  beauty  is  lost. 
Now  my  window  is  etched 
With  white  bracken  and  fern 
In  the  crystalline  transience  of  frost. 


Our  present  leader,  President 
David  O.  McKay,  takes  his  place 
among  the  other  eminent  Presidents 
of  the  Church.  He  is  the  ninth  in 
line  in  the  position  and  has  achieved 
an  undying  name  for  service  with  his 
predecessors  in  this  calling:  the 
Prophet  Joseph  Smith,  Brigham 
Young,  John  Taylor,  Wilford  Wood- 
ruff, Lorenzo  Snow,  Joseph  F.  Smith, 
Heber  J.  Grant,  and  George  Albert 
Smith. 

His  Counselors  also  follow  in  the 
footsteps  of  many  great  men  whose 
service  in  bygone  days  they  are  emu- 
lating today.  President  Stephen  L 
Richards  as  First  Counselor  to  Presi- 
dent David  O.  McKay  follows  such 
men  as  Sidney  Rigdon,  Heber  C. 
, Kimball,  George  A.  Smith,  John  W. 
Young,  George  Q.  Cannon,  John  R. 
Winder,  Anthon  H.  Lund,  Charles 
W.  Penrose,  Anthony  W.  Ivins,  J. 
Reuben  Clark,  Jr. 

President  J.  Reuben  Clark,  Jr., 
Second  Counselor  to  President  McKay, 

NOVEMBER  1956 


has  as  his  predecessors  Frederick  G. 
Williams,  Hyrum  Smith,  William 
Law,  Willard  Richards,  Jedediah  M. 
Grant,  Daniel  H.  Wells,  Joseph  F. 
Smith,  Anthon  H.  Lund,  John  Henry 
Smith,  Charles  W.  Penrose,  Anthony 
W.  Ivins,  Charles  W.  Nibley,  himself, 
and  David  O.  McKay. 

To  each  First  Presidency  have 
been  given  the  keys  of  the  kingdom 
to  administer  for  the  spiritual  and 
temporal  well-being  of  both  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  and  the  world  as  a 


whole.  This  Church  has  ever  been 
a  missionary  Church,  and  has  grown 
from  its  initial  membership  of  six 
when  the  Church  was  organized  April 
6,  1830,  to  1,357,274  in  April  1956. 
The  work  of  the  First  Presidency  in 
organization  has  promoted  this 
growth.  And  in  keeping  with  the 
divine  calling,  the  First  Presidency 
must  serve  both  at  home  and  abroad 
in  their  endeavor  to  bring  the  chil- 
dren of  our  Eternal  Father  back 
again  to  him. 


For  finest 
performance,  use 


$tzh 


all  New  gasoline 
the  most  powerful,  cleanest  motor 
fuel  science  can  make  .  .  .  avail- 
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time  high.         It's  another  Utoco 


exclusive  feature. 


UTAH  OIL  REFINING  CO. 


867 


Eileen  Gibbons 


Editi 


or 


Snacks:  Snappy  and  Satis} 


by  Josephine  B.  Nichols 

DIRECTOR,  STERLING  W.  SILL 
HOME  LIVING  CENTER,  UNIVERSITY  OF  UTAH 


No  one  needs  to  tell  Mother  that 
when  her  grade-school  youngster 
bursts  into  the  house  a  good 
three  hours  before  the  dinner  hour 
and  says  he'll  "die  if  he  doesn't  eat 
right  this  minute"  he  means  it! 

Growing,  active  children — and 
many  adults — do  require  food  be- 
tween meals  to  satisfy  a  very  real 
hunger.  The  pep  and  efficiency 
which  a  child  or  job-holder  has  in  the 
afternoon  depends  largely  on  what 
he  had  for  lunch  and  for  a  snack. 

Studies  show  a  definite  relationship 
between  nutrition  and  progress  in 
school  or  on  the  job.  In  a  recent  is- 
sue of  The  Journal  of  the  American 
Medical  Association,  farmers  were 
urged  to  copy  their  city  cousins  by 
taking  mid-morning  and  mid-after- 
noon breaks  for  snacks.  It  is  pointed 
out  in  the  article  that  this  would  re- 
duce the  high  farm  accident  rate  by 
stepping  up  efficiency  and  lessening 
fatigue. 

Snack  meals  should  be  served  about 
the  same  time  each  day — not  too 
near  a  meal.  They  should  be  light 
and  easily  digested.  Very  sweet  and 
fatty  foods  should  not  be  served  since 
they  will  destroy  the  appetite  for  good 
wholesome  food.  Snacks  should  be 
easy  to  prepare — but  they  should  be 
prepared!  Leftovers,  with  a  little 
planning,  can  be  wonderfully  dis- 
guised. The  most  important  thing 
to  remember  in  snack  preparation  is 
that  foods  served  as  snacks  should 
contribute  their  share  of  the  body's 
daily  need  for  minerals,  vitamins, 
protein,  and  other  health-protecting 
nutrients.  Snacks  should  be  planned 
with  the  other  meals  of  the  day  in 
•mind. 

Many  foods  usually  kept  on  hand 

868 


make  good  snacks:  milk  or  milk 
drinks,  fresh  or  dried  fruits,  whole 
grain  cereals  and  crackers,  cookies, 
bread,  vegetable  or  fruit  juices.  A  fig 
or  raisins  will  frequently  satisfy  a 
child's  hankering  for  something  sweet. 
The  following  suggestions  might 
appeal  to  your  school  child  who 
"can't  wait  for  dinner." 

Orangegg 

Simply  beat  one  egg  well,  add  eight 
ounces  of  chilled  orange  juice,  and  beat 
well  again.  Use  either  fresh  juice 
oranges  or  frozen  or  canned  juice. 

Orangegg  is  an  inexpensive  meal-in-a- 
glass  that  provides  immediate  energy 
and  substantial  amounts  of  protein  and 


Vitamin  C.  It  is  easily  assembled  by 
busy  mothers  and  easily  consumed  by 
the  "starving"-  youngster — or  the  hard- 
playing  son  who  doesn't  want  to  stop 
for  nourishment  in  the  midst  of  a  game. 
Other  "meal-in-a-glass"  treats  might 
include: 

Plain  Eggnog 

1  egg  well  beaten 
1  tablespoon  sugar 
1  cup  chilled  milk 
Y4  teaspoon  vanilla 
Sprinkle  of  nutmeg 

Beat  together  egg  and  sugar.  Beat  in 
milk  and  flavoring.     Serve  cold. 

Fruit  Eggnog 

Follow  the  same  recipe  as  for  plain 
eggnog,  substituting  two  tablespoons  of 
fruit  juice  (grape,  orange,  raspberry,  or 
cherry)  for  vanilla  and  nutmeg. 

For  chocolate  eggnog,  follow  plain 
eggnog  proportions  but  omit  sugar  and 
beat  in  one  tablespoon  of  chocolate 
syrup. 

Molasses  Milk 

A  molasses  milk  drink  is  delicious, 
different,  and  provides  much-needed 
iron.  Mix  together  one  cup  milk  and 
one  tablespoon  molasses.  Sprinkle  with 
nutmeg  if  desired. 

For  other  tasty  combinations  substi- 
tute caramel  or  postum  for  the  molasses. 

Fresh  fruits  can  be  snack  favorites  if 

attractively  prepared.    Apples,  bananas, 

oranges,    grapes,    and/or    other    fruits, 

(Continued  on  page  870) 


Orangegg — A  healthful,  quick-energy  snack. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


THERE'S  SOMETHING  ABOUT  A  PUMPKIN,  sunning  itself  in  a  field  at 
fall,  that  just  naturally  conjures  up  visions  of  the  good  things  of  life  .  .  .  like  a 

golden-brown  pumpkin  pie,  with  its  special  spicy  flavor  and  melt-in-your-mouth 
goodness.  For  Thanksgiving  and  other  special-occasion  days  this  fall,  you'll  want 

plenty  of  U  and  I  Sugar  on  hand.  Make  sure  you  have  the  complete  U  and  I  family 
of  fine  sugars:  Powdered,  Brown,  Fine  Granulated  and  Superfine  Dessert. 

THE.    UTAH-IDAHO      SUGAR      COMPANY 

NOVEMBER  1956  869 


So  good  for  babies 

...that  Special 

Morning  Milk 

So  easy  to  digest,  Special  Morning 
Milk  is  the  only  evaporated  milk 
especially  developed  for  babies  .  .  . 
the  only  evaporated  milk  with  extra 
Vitamins  A  and  D  added  in  the 
amount  doctors  believe  best  to  help 
promote  sound  bones  and  teeth  and 
build  resistance  to  disease. 

Ask  your  doctor  about  Special 
Morning  Milk  for   your  baby! 


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•  Cafes  •    Private  Homes 


Sample 
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for 
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"BANQUETMASTER' 
The  new  folding  banquet  table  with 
your  choice  of  colored  tops  at  no 
extra    cost. 

Sample     table     sent      at     no     cost     to 
churches    and    all    institutions. 
Storage     trucks     of     advanced     design 
for     chairs      and      tables.       Write     for 
description,     prices     and     guarantee. 

D.  H.  Loosli  Co.,  Inc. 

Idaho  Falls,   Idaho 


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Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 


Snacks:  Snappy  and  Satisfying 


(Continued    from   page  '868) 

thoroughly  washed  and  dried  and  ar- 
ranged as  a  kitchen  table  centerpiece, 
are  likely  to  catch  a  hungry  child's  eye. 
Or,  in  ten  extra  minutes,  they  can  be- 
come an  appealing  fruit  plate. 

Fruit   Plate 

Arrange  on  crisp  lettuce  leaf  a  variety 
of  fruits,  such  as  pineapple  chunks, 
grape  clusters,  apple  wedges,  'orange 
slices,  and  banana  pieces  rolled  in 
pineapple  juice,  then  finally  chopped 
nuts.  Let  a  youngster  take  his  pick,  or 
prepare  as  individual  plates  for  the  en- 
tire family. 

Fruit  Milk  Shake 

1  cup  chilled  milk,  beat  with  one  of 
he  following: 
/2  banana 
/2  'cup  orange  juice 
/2  cup  prune  juice 
4  cup  crushed  sweetened  strawberries. 

Surprise  your  snack-hungry  child — or 
the  entire  family — with  nutritious  bread 
variations,  such  as  the  following,  which 
can  be  served  alone  or  with  beverages 
and  salads. 

Cheese  Puffs 

Y2  pound  grated  nippy  cheese 

\/2  cup  butter 

Vi  CUP  sifted  flour 

Dash  of  paprika  (optional) 

Combine  cheese  and  butter,  work  in 
flour  with  paprika.  Chill  thoroughly. 
Shape  chilled  mixture  into  balls  the  size 
of  large  marbles.  Place  on  ungreased 
cookie  sheet.  Bake  at  450°  F.  for  five  to 
seven  minutes.     Serve  warm. 

Cheese  Snack  Bread 

1  pkg.  hot  roll  mix 

1  egg 

5  tablespoons  milk 

1  teaspoon  grated  onion  (optional) 
l/2  teaspoon  salt 
2I/2  cups  grated  yellow  cheese 
iy2  teaspoons  poppy  seeds 

Prepare  dough  as  hot  roll  mix  pack- 
age directs.  Cover.  Let  rise  in  warm 
place  (85°  to  90°  F.)  until  double  in 
bulk  (30  to  45  minutes).  Spread  in 
well-greased  13"  x  9"  pan.  Let  rise  in 
warm  place  until  light  (30  to  45  min- 
utes). Combine  egg  with  grated  onion, 
salt,  and  grated  cheese.  Spread  on  top 
of  dough.  Sprinkle  with  poppy  seeds. 
Bake  at  425°  F.  for  20  to  25  minutes. 
Serve  warm.     Makes  12  pieces. 

Kahobs 

Make  a  four-decker  sandwich  with 
buttered   bread,    alternating   white   and 


whole  wheat  slices.  Add  one  of  the 
following  fillings:  Deviled  ham  with 
mayonnaise,  peanut  butter  and  honey, 
coconut  with  brown  sugar,  creamy 
cheese  spread,  or  something  of  your  own 
creation.  Cut  into  four  squares.  String 
one  or  two  squares  on  a  small  wooden 
skewer.  Bake  at  475°  F.  eight  minutes 
or  toast  in  broiler,  turning  frequently. 
They're  fun  to  eat. 


870 


Bread  Sticks 

Toasted  bread  sticks  are  one  of  the 
easiest  snack  treats  to  prepare,  and 
they're  good  served  alone  or  with  bever- 
ages, salads,  or  soups.  Children  love 
them. 

Butter  bread  slices,  cover  with  grated 
parmesan  cheese,  sprinkle  with  minced 
parsley,  chives,  poppy  seeds,  caraway 
seeds,  or  grated  orange  rind  plus  sugar 
or  honey,  or  brown  sugar  and  coconut 
flakes.  Cut  into  four  strips.  Toast  at 
475°   F.  for  eight  minutes. 

Toasted  Rolls 

Cut  hamburger  or  frank  rolls  in  half. 
Spread  with  butter.  Top  with  ground 
minced  ham  mixed  with  mayonnaise 
and  cheese  or  top  with  peanut  butter 
and  jelly.  Toast  in  broiler.  Serve  with 
beverage. 

Snack-time  can  also  be  a  fun  time  for 
the  entire  family,  a  casual  time  of  re- 
laxing and  visiting  together  or  with 
friends  who  may  have  dropped  in.  Sug- 
gestions for  the  evening  snack,  "family 
night,"  or  the  last  raid  on  the  refriger- 
ator, might  include  desserts  saved  from 
dinner,  hot  or  cold  tomato  juice  with 
assorted  crackers  and  cheese,  hors 
d'oeuvres,  small  sandwiches,  cereal  sun- 
daes (cereal  topped  with  milk  or  cream 
and  fresh,  frozen  or  canned  fruit),  or 
special  breads,  such  as  the  following, 
served  with  either  hot  or  cold  beverages: 

Boston  Brown  Bread 

1  cup  all-bran  cereal 

1  cup  sour  milk 

2  cup  raisins 

2  tablespoons  molasses 

3  cup  sugar 

1  cup  sifted  flour 
1  teaspoon  soda 
!/4  teaspoon  salt 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


l, 


l 


Mix  together  all-bran,  sour  milk, 
raisins,  and  molasses.  Let  stand  ten  to 
fifteen  minutes.  Add  flour  which  has 
been  sifted  with  soda  and  salt.  Fill  a 
number  303  greased  can  half  full,  cover 
tightly  with  aluminum  foil,  and  steam 
two  hours.    Serve  hot,  sliced. 

Quick  Orange-Caramel  Rolls 

Y4  cup  sugar 

1  teaspoon  grated  orange  rind 
\l/2  tablespoons  orange  juice 
'/4  teaspoon  mace  or  nutmeg 

1  tablespoon  melted  butter 
12  brown  'n  serve  dinner  rolls 

Combine  sugar,  orange  rind,  orange 
juice,  mace  or  nutmeg,  and  butter. 
Spread  over  bottom  of  greased  shallow 
pan.  Place  rolls  with  tops  down,  over 
sugar  mixture.  Bake  in  hot  oven  (400° 
F.)  for  15  minutes.  Let  rolls  stand  in 
pan  two  minutes  before  inverting  pan 
and  removing  rolls,  so  that  the  orange 
caramel  topping  is  up.  Serve  imme- 
diately. 

Waffled  Toast 

Trim  crusts  from  bread,  spread  about 
one  teaspoon  butter  on  both  sides  of 
each  slice  of  bread.  Place  buttered 
bread  in  a  pre-heated  waffle  iron  for 
about  three  minutes  or  until  brown.  To 
serve  cut  each  slice  in  half.  Serve  hot 
with  honey  or  cinnamon  sugar. 


Cream  Scones 

2  cups  sifted  cake  flour 

2  teaspoons  baking  powder 
Y2  teaspoon  salt 

2  teaspoons  sugar 

4  tablespoons   butter   or   margarine 

1  egg  and  1  egg  yolk 
!/3  cup  table  cream 

1  egg  white,  slightly  beaten 

Mix  dry  ingredients  and  sift.  Cut  in 
shortening.  Add  egg,  egg  yolk,  and 
cream  all  at  once.  Stir  until  product 
leaves  sides  of  bowl.  Turn  onto  lightly 
floured  board.  Knead  about  20  seconds. 
(Continued  on  following  page) 
NOVEMBER  1956 


before  you 
buy  a 
water  heater, 


See  Foivler 

at  your  dealer's  soon, 

or  write 

the  factory  for 

full  details. 


There's  a  lot  more 
n  price  to  consider 
when  you  buy  a  water  heater. 

Fowler  water  heaters  have  stood  the  test  of  time. 
For  nearly  half  a  century  they  have  delivered 
dependable  water  heating  service  at  lowest  cost. 

By  being  the  first  to  offer  glass-lining,  Fowler 
water  heaters  have  proved  conclusively  that  dur- 
able porcelain... bonded-to-steel  inside  the  tank 
.  .  .  prevents  rust  and  corrosion.  Fowler  water 
heaters  with  glass-lining  consistently  outlast 
other  makes ! 

In  addition  to  glass-lining,  Fowler  has  safe 
"black  heat"  elements,  triple  insulation  against 
heat  loss,  external  adjustable  temperature  con- 
trols for  top  operating  efficiency. 

Fowler  glass-lined  electric  water  heaters  are 
backed  by  the  manufacturer's  20-year  warranty. 

Whatever  your  requirements,  there's  a  Fowler 
water  heater  to  meet  your  needs.  For  only  a  few 
dollars  more  than  the  cost  of  an  ordinary  water 
heater,  you  can  buy  this  better  Fowler  and  be  sure 
of  satisfying  service  for  many  years  to  come. 


GLASS-LINED 


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SALT  LAKE  CITY,  UTAH 

871 


Give  a  DatiOnal  Bible 

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special  souvenir  menus 
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COFFEE 

SHOP 


Hotel     Utah    Max  Carpenter,  Managei 


Snacks:  Snappy  and  Satisfying 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

Roll  l/2  inch  thick,  cut  in  triangles. 
Bake  on  electric  grill  or  heavy  skillet 
or  place  on  ungreased  baking  sheet. 
Brush  with  egg  white  and  sprinkle  with 
sugar.  Bake  in  hot  oven  (450°  F.)  12- 
15  minutes.     Makes  12. 

The  following  are  delicious  served  as 
dips,  or  as  spreads  for  wheat  crackers, 
potato  chips,  or  bread  sticks. 

Crab  or  Shrimp  Dip 

1-5  oz.  can  cleaned  shrimp  or  crab 
Y4  cup  salad  dressing 

Dash  tabasco  sauce 
2  teaspoons  onion  juice 
1  teaspoon  lemon  juice 
Salt 
Pepper 
Cream 

Cut  or  flake  shrimps  into  very  small 
bits,  mix  well  with  remaining  in- 
gredients. Add  cream  to  make  desired 
consistency. 

Avocado  Cottage  Cheese  Dip 

1  cup  cottage  cheese,  sieved 
1  avocado,  mashed 

Salt  and  pepper 

Pickle  relish 

Horse  radish 

Onion,  grated 

Cream  or  mayonnaise 

Blend  cottage  cheese  well  with  avo- 
cado and  seasonings.  Thin  with  cream 
or  mayonnaise  until  desired  consistency. 

Unusual,  and  a  little  special,  are: 

Angels  on  Horseback 

Wrap  half  strips  of  bacon  around 
small  oysters,  fasten  with  toothpick. 
Place  in  shallow  pan.  Bake  at  400°  F. 
until  bacon  is  crisp  or  broil  under 
broiler.     Serve  hot. 


Cut 


Beef   and  Cheese  Stick 


Va 


872 


American  cheese  in  sticks 
inch  by  y4  inch  by  2  inches.  Wrap 
each  stick  in  a  dried  beef  slice.  Broil 
until  cheese  is  slightly  melted.  Serve 
hot  on  toothpicks. 

Ham   Toastwich 

y4  cup  butter 

2  tablespoons  prepared  mustard 
12  slices  bread 

6  slices  boiled  ham 

2  slightly  beaten  eggs 
V3  cup  milk 
l/4  cup  shortening 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Combine  butter  and  mustard.  Spread 
on  bread.  Make  six  sandwiches  by 
placing  a  ham  slice  between  slices  of 
buttered  bread.  Combine  eggs  and 
milk.  Dip  each  sandwich  into  egg  mix- 
ture, turning  it  to  coat  both  sides.  Brown 
sandwiches  on  both  sides  in  small 
amount  of  hot  shortening.    Serve  hot. 

Without  being  reminded,  no  one  will 
overlook  America's  favorite  dessert:  ice 
cream  and  cake  or  cookies.  Serve  them 
plain  or  dressed  up.  Perhaps  an  ice 
cream  cake  sundae,  decorated  with  your 
favorite  topping,  would  be  just  the  thing 
for  tonight. 

Remember  that  snacks  should  be  not 
only  easy  to  fix  but  also  healthful,  that 
if  they  are  leftovers,  they  should  be 
attractively-prepared  leftovers.  Let  these 
few  suggestions  be  a  stimulus  to  your 
own  imagination,  and  make  snack-time 
a  favorite  time  in  your  home. 


The 

Magic 

Circle 


by  Ethel  Hopper 

There  is  magic  about  a  circle.  Just 
the  words  "family  circle"  bring 
a  feeling  of  security  and  under- 
standing and  a  sense  of  togetherness. 
This  feeling  may  have  just  happened, 
but  again  it  may  be  the  outgrowth  of 
several  things.  In  a  circle  people 
can  see  each  other,  and  one's  face 
and  eyes  tell  much  that  the  voice 
does  not. 

Undoubtedly  before  there  were 
stoves,  families  gathered  about  a  fire- 
place. The  warmth  and  seclusion 
would  have  relaxed  the  members  and 
would  have  made  it  hard  to  be  pre- 
tentious or  evasive.  Casual  remarks 
were  more  likely  to  have  assumed 
their  true  meanings. 

We  know  that  gathering  about  the 
evening  campfire  was  the  high  light  of 
a  pioneer's  day.  During  the  daylight 
the  family  might  have  separated, 
gathering  fuel,  trudging  behind, 
helping  others,  or  riding  with  a 
friend.  But  the  campfire  drew  them 
together,  to  eat,  to  foster  acquaint- 
anceship, to  gather  courage,  and  to 
join  in  prayers  of  thankfulness  and 
supplication.    Many  love  stories  were 

{Continued  on  following  page) 
NOVEMBER  1956 


Rom.  here  to  HQwaii-theylove  that  "y&ast-jriz" crust  t 


QAW 


^ast-Eiz"Gcast  ujttLtt* 


Q/YY\j 


Scald  1/3  cup  milk.  Stir  in  1/4  cup  shorten- 
ing 6  tablespoons  sugar  and  1/4  teaspoon 
salt.  Cool  to  lukewarm.  Measure  into 
bowl  1/4  cup  warm  (not  hot)  water  (Cool 
to  lukewarm  for  compressed  yeastO  Add 
1  package  or  cake  Fleischmann's  Yeast, 
active  dry  or  compressed.  Stir  to  dissolve. 
Stir  in  lukewarm  milk  mixture  1  beaten 
egg  and  l*i  cups  sifted  enriched  flour 
Beat  until  smooth.  Stir  in  an  additional 
li/4  cups  sifted  enriched  flour  (about), 
knead   Let  rise  until  doubled  in  bug, 
about  m  hours.  Punch  down,  dtvide 
into  3  pieces.   Roll  each  into   10-incn 
circle.  Press  firmly  into  9-inch  V* jFJ*. 
Press  edge  with  tines  of  fork     Brush 
with  1  slightly  beaten  egg  white.  (To  dec 
orate  crust,  place  thin  braid  or  smafl 
cut-outs  of  dough  around  rim    Brush 
with  egg  white.)  Let  rise  untd  doubled 


rr 


in  bulk,  about  20  minutes.  Prick  with 
fork  Bake  in  oven  at  350°F. Tor  8  min- 
utes. Do  not  brown.  Fill  and  bake-or 
Ire  until  ready  to  use.  To  store  crusts 
cool,  stack  and  wrap  in  foil.  Hold  in 
refrigerator  1-10  days.  Makes  3. 

Ham  Filling 
Mix  together  2  cups  ground  baked  or 
boiled  ham,  Vz  cup  fine  dry  bread  crumbs 
i/2  teaspoon  dry  mustard,  1  cup  nulk  and 
g  cup  drained  crushed  +gj+*~ 
No  2  can.  Spoon  mixture  into  Yeast- 
r£»  Crust  Combine  2  tablespoons 
melted  Blue  Bonnet  Margarine  with 
S3  brown  sugar  and  remaining  1  cup 

dnhrt  crushed  **&**?°£g£ 

Spoon  on  top  of  ham  mixture  Sprinkle 
with  iA  cup  shredded  coconut.  Bake  in 
moderate  oven  at  350>F.  for  20-25  min- 
xes  Serve  hot.  Makes  4-6  servings. 


Only  yeast  can  make 
such  a  dream  of  a  crust, 

says  Mrs.  Iwalani  Kamoku,  prize-winning  cook  of 
Hilo,  Hawaii.  "It's  wonderfully  light  and  so  delicious. 
I  like  to  bake  two  or  three  crusts  early  in  the 
week,  keep  'em  in  the  refrigerator  for  the 
weekend  .  .  .  ready  to  fill  and  brown. 

"But  be  sure  the  yeast  you  use  is  Fleischmann's — 
the  kind  prize-winning  cooks  depend  on.  Use 
the  cake  yeast  or  use  Fleischmann's  handy  dry  yeast 
that  keeps  for  months." 


TRY  THE  DRY 

YEAST  IN 

"THRIFTY  THREE'S" 


Another  Fine  Product  of  Standard  Brands  Inc. 


Free  Recipes  for  other  main  dishes 
with  a  "yeast-riz"  crust.  Pizza,  too!  At 
your  grocer's  Fleischmann's  Active  Dry 
Yeast  display  or  send  to :  Yeast,  Dept.  YH 
P.  O.  Box  48515,  Los  Angeles. 


873 


Why  Share  Your  Space 
with  a  Swinging  Door? 


a  "MODERNFOLD" 
door  takes  none 

*  MORE  SPACE   FOR   LIVING 

*  NEW  COLORFUL  BEAUTY 

*  RIGID  -  STRENGTH  OF  STEEL 

*  MOVABLE  WALLS 


the  doors  that  fold 
like  an  accordion 


modern  fold 


For  demonstration  write  or  phone 

ALDER'S 

960  South  Main  Salt  Lake  City 

Phone  EM  4-8444 

Please    send     me    your    free    booklet    entitled 
"More    Space    for    Living"    iE-10. 


NAME     . 
Address 
City 


State.. 


PIKES  PEAK 

Highest  Quality 
All  Purpose  FLOUR 


The  Magic  Circle 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

told  by  the  flash  of  eyes  across  the 
circle. 

Later  the  circle  was  shifted  to  the 
kitchen  table,  and  from  there  to  the 
dining  room  table.  Three  times  a  day 
all  members  met  around  it.  Then, 
more  than  any  other  time,  children 
learned  their  standards  of  conduct, 
their  "manners."  They  shared  not 
only  food  but  also  experiences,  and 
each  learned  from  the  other.  Around 
the  table  the  spirit  and  ideals  of  the 
parents  were  "caught"  by  the  chil- 
dren. Around  it  they  learned  to  wait 
patiently  until  others  were  served, 
and  while  father  carved  they  learned 
to  take  second  choice  with  a  smile. 
Problems  might  be  ironed  out  under 
the  mellowing  influence  of  hunger 
satisfied.  Around  the  table  the  chil- 
dren learned  to  bow  their  heads  to- 
gether to  thank  their  Heavenly  Father 
for  the  food  and  for  the  dear  hands 
that  provided  and  prepared  it. 

The  intimacy  of  the  table  gave 
brother  courage  to  admit  the  poor 
grade  he  got  in  English  or  the  touch- 
down he  didn't  make.  How  refresh- 
ing to  wash  hands  and  face  and  come 
to  a  big  friendly  table  to  his  own 
chair,  his  own  plate!  Love  and  se- 
curity were  there,  although  he  didn't 
know  the  words. 

Around  that  table  Sister  learned 
what  well -cooked  food  can  do  for 
a  family,  how  rewarding  the  hours 
spent  in  preparation  can  be.     Father 


It's  entirely 
Automatic 


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WATER 

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family 

only 

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Card  Tables  and  Chairs,  Classroom  Furniture 


874 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


could  look  around  at  his  loved  ones, 
and,  catching  mother's  smile,  forget 
his  hard  day.  And  where  else  could 
father  be  so  completely  the  head  of 
the  family? 

Today  the  circle  is  in  danger  of 
being  broken.  There  is  the  breakfast 
nook  into  which  we  slip  in  and 
squeeze  out.  There  is  the  "snack  bar" 
between  kitchen  and  living  room. 
Dad  and  the  kids  pull  their  stools 
up  to  it,  usually  at  different  times. 
They  hook  their  feet  over  the  rounds 
and  balance  their  elbows  on  the  bar 
while  Mom  cooks  and  slides  the  ham- 
burgers over  to  them,  hot  from  the 
griddle.     It  is  handy! 

Then  there  is  the  television  tray. 
Fill  ,  your  own  in  the  kitchen,  and 
without  knowing  or  caring,  supper  is 
over.  A  sad  or  glad  time  is  had  by 
all,  depending  on  the  program.  Sure- 
ly we  are  losing  something  when  we 
discard  the  old  quartersawed  oak  din- 
ner table. 


These  Times 

(Continued   from    page    774) 

odist  Episcopal,  and  other  positions.  In 
nearly  all  cases,  local  ministers  re- 
sponded to  the  invitation  extended  by 
the  Era  editors.  In  some  few  instances, 
the  Era  was  obliged  to  print  statements 
of  authoritative  character  from  other 
sources.  The  series  stands  in  print  to- 
day as  an  admirable  effort  and  expres- 
sion. 

The  lead  article  in  the  first  issue  was 
by  Edward  H.  Anderson,  whose  pen 
was  later  to  contribute  much  to  the 
Era.  As  the  past  general  secretary  of 
the  YMMIA,  he  offered  a  historical  ac- 
count entitled  "The  Past  of  Mutual 
Improvement,"  which  stands  today  as 
a  basic  source  of  organizational  history. 

If  there  is  a  curio  in  the  first  volume 
of  the  Era,  it  too  is  there  as  a  result 
of  the  work  of  Edward  H.  Anderson, 
with  the  encouragement  of  the  editors, 
especially  B.  H.  Roberts.  Entitled  "The 
Book  of  the  Revelation  of  Abraham" 
this  piece  ran  in  three  issues  as  "Trans- 
lated from  the  German  of  Professor  G. 
Nathanael  Bonwetsch,  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Goettingen,  Germany,  by  Ed- 
ward H.  Anderson  and  R.  T.  Haag." 
First  appearing  in  August  1898,  this  in- 
teresting document  was  secured  from 
Professor  Bonwetsch  and  translated  as 
the  result  of  an  account  carried  in  a 
San  Francisco  newspaper  the  preceding 
January.  The  alert  Era  people  noted 
that  the  article  contained  "many  things 
of   a  character  .   .   .  that  ran   parallel 

NOVEMBER  1956 


SANTA  CLAUS  "SEZ" 

I  HAVE  DELIVERED  SO  MANY 

HAMMOND    ORGANS 

THESE  PAST  FEW  YEARS  THAT  I  HAVE  HAD  TO 
USE  EXTRA  REINDEER.  TO  BE  SURE  OF  DELIVERY 
FOR  CHRISTMAS,  I  ADVISE  YOU  TO  ORDER  YOUR 
HAMMOND  EARLY  FROM 

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OGDEN 
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74  So.  Main 


PROVO 
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Mill  cracks  or  grinds  wheat,  corn  and  all 
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SPECIAL   PRICES   TO   L.D.S.   GROUPS 

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The  Christian  Way 


Officers,  Teachers,  Church  Members 
— both  men  and  women — can  enjoy 
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...  A  minister  writes,  "GOD  answered 
my  PRAYER  and  showed  me  how  to  earn 
$3600.00  first  year  working  only  spare 
time." 


876 


These  Times 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 
with  what  is  recorded  in  the  Book  of 
Abraham,  given  to  the  world  by  Joseph 
Smith  in  1836.  .  .  ."  Letters  were  writ- 
ten to  Professor  Bonwetsch,  who  sent 
to  the  Era  a  copy  of  the  document,  said. 
to  be  from  an  old   Slavic  manuscript 


discovered  in  the  University  of  Moscow, 
Russia. 

Those  interested  in  curios  can  turn 
to  volume  one  and  read  Anderson's  and 
Haag's  translation  of  Bonwetsch's  trans- 
lation of  the  old  Slavic  manuscript  for 
themselves.     In  comparing  the  book  of 


^^v^s^n^n^sssi^^xS^i^SW 


^Jke  ^Jenslovi  of  j^retenSe 


Richard  L,  Evans 

^here  are,  in  literature  and  in  life,  some  intense  tales  of 
*-  the  tensions  that  come  from  leading  a  double  life.  In 
the  field  of  espionage,  for  example,  there  would  seem  to  be 
little  time  for  relaxing,  little  time  for  the  real  living  of  life, 
when  a  person  must  constantly  pretend  to  be  something  he 
isn't,  or  pretend  to  be  doing  something  he  isn't  doing.  Under 
such  circumstances,  he  would  likely  be  afraid  of  every  un- 
guarded act  or  utterance — even  afraid  of  what  he  might  say  , 
in  his  sleep.  This  ties  in  with  a  significant  sentence  by  Anne 
Morrow  Lindberg,  somewhat  recently  written:  "The  most 
exhausting  thing  in  life,  I  have  discovered,  is  being  insincere."1 
It  is  a  provocative  thought:  the  exhaustion  of  insincerity — of 
pretense.  A  masquerade  can  be  colorful  and  exciting  if  a 
person  can  drop  the  costume  and  the  mask  when  the  evening 
is  over.  But  a  permanent  masquerade  would  surely  wear  a 
man  away.  Acting  also  is  exciting  to  some.  But  always  to 
be  acting  would  surely  be  altogether  exhausting.  There  are 
many  kinds  of  pretending:  the  pretense  of  pretending  to  be 
something  other  than  we  are;  of  pretending  to  be  doing 
something  we  aren't  doing;  of  pretending  to  be  keeping  com- 
mandments we  aren't  keeping;  the  pretense  of  trying  to 
justify  ourselves  in  unworthy  acts  or  utterances.  All  pre- 
tense is  wearing  and  wearisome,  even  when  we  aren't  alto- 
gether aware  of  it,  for  with  it  come  a  constant  strain,  and  a 
kind  of  transparency  also — because  those  who  are  close  to 
us  we  seldom  really  deceive — and  even  those  who  aren't, 
often  seem  to  have  a  kind  of  perception  concerning  sincerity 
or  insincerity.  There  is  nothing  quite  so  convincing,  nothing 
quite  so  satisfying,  as  a  quiet,  honest  sincerity — the  showing 
of  an  honest  face  and  front.  And  the  effort  of  explaining  why 
we  aren't  doing  what  we  ought  to  do,  why  we  aren't  being 
what  we  ought  to  be,  why  we  aren't  living  as  we  ought  to 
live;  the  talking  back  to  conscience;  the  attempt  to  justify,  to 
explain  away  what  shouldn't  be,  do  worry  and  wear.  There 
isn't  much  chance  to  repent,  to  reform,  to  improve,  to  progress 
until  we  honestly  face  facts;  and  merely  going  through  the 
motions  or  the  masquerade,  or  relying  insincerely  on  the  art 
of  acting,  are  all  part  of  an  exhausting  kind  of  pretense,  an 
exhausting  kind  of  insincerity.  One  of  the  most  exhausting 
things  in  life  is  insincerity. 

JAnne  Morrow  Lindberg,  Gift  from  the  Sea. 

~Jhe   Spoken     lA/ord  from  temple  square 

PRESENTED  OVER  KSL  AND  THE  COLUMBIA  BROADCASTING 
SYSTEM,  SEPTEMBER  16,   1956 

Copyright    1956 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Abraham  with  "The  Book  of  the  Reve- 
lation of  Abraham,"  (so  translated  from 
the  Moscow  source,  via  Goettingen), 
one  may  still  bear  in  mind  the  thought- 
ful comment  of  Editors  Smith  and 
Roberts  with  respect  to  the  latter:  ".  .  . 
how  much  is  tinged  with  fable  .  .  .  we 
cannot  pretend  to  say." 

Fiction,  poetry,  news  of  the  Church  at 
home  and  abroad,  current  events,  politi- 
cal commentary,  biographical  sketches, 
items  of  varied  religious  appeal — all 
combine  to  make  volume  one  of  the 
Era  impressive.  Whether  handling 
theological  questions,  presenting  myth, 
fantasy,  or  thoughtful  exposition,  Editors 
Smith  and  Roberts  laid  out  their  work 
in  grand  style.  Business  manager 
Grant  and  his  assistant  Hull  offered  the 
whole  for  a  subscription  price  of  two 
dollars  a  year — a  price  maintained 
through  wars,  depressions,  panics,  and 
inflation  for  many,  many  years.  In  the 
second  issue,  the  twelve  to  fourteen 
hundred  missionaries  were  offered  the 
magazine  for  a  special  missionary  rate  of 
one  dollar.  By  the  time  the  third  issue 
appeared,  the  business  and  spiritual 
energy  of  Heber  J.  Grant  had  produced 
a  situation  whereby  missionaries  were 
provided  magazines,  through  distribu- 
tion to  their  respective  mission  head- 
quarters, at  no  cost  to  themselves  at  all. 

In  the  fifth  issue,  March  1898,  William 
H.  King's  article  "Through  War-Strick- 
en Cuba"  appeared.  To  keep  faith  with 
readers,  the  editors  had  Congressman 
King  send  4,600  words  by  special  dis- 
patch from  Washington  in  order  for 
this  article  to  appear  as  scheduled  and 
promised.  Mr.  King  thought  his  manu- 
script was  due  on  March  15,  1898;  the 
editors  expected  it  on  February  15. 
When  the  deadline  passed,  "There  was 
no  hesitancy  as  to  what  should  be  done. 
The  Era  must  neither  fail  to  publish 
the  article  it  had  promised,  nor  be  one 
day  late  in  issuing  its  February  num- 
ber." (Vol.  1,  p.  370)  Employing  the 
telegraph,  the  editors  and  Mr.  King 
went  to  work  and  demonstrated  that 
they  were  true  journalists  determined 
to  maintain  a  journal's  responsibilities 
to  its  readers. 

Evidenced  by  Elder  Hart's  check-up 
on  certain  "prominent"  readers  in  1897 
and  by  the  designs  and  achievements 
of  the  editorial  and  business  staff,  it  is 
plain  that  the  men  of  sixty  years  ago 
were  big.  They  cast  long  shadows. 
Better,  as  a  figure  of  speech,  the  torches 
in  their  hands  shed  light  far  down  the 
years.  Readers,  editors,  and  contributors 
in  these  times  will  have  to  run  fast  to 
exceed  their  shadows,  or  will  have  to 
stretch  their  arms  high  with  pretty  good 
lamps  to  produce  as  much  illumination. 

NOVEMBER  1956 


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(Continued  from  page   815) 

World  War  II  president  of  European  Mis- 
sion. President  Ogden  (Utah)  Stake  1919- 
37.  Sustained  as  Assistant  to  the  Council 
of  the  Twelve,  April  5,  1941.  Set  apart, 
May  21,  1941,  by  President  Heber  J.  Grant. 

CLIFFORD  EARL  YOUNG,  born  Decem- 
ber 7,  1883,  at  Salt  Lake  City.  Missions: 
British,  July  1905-February  1906;  Swiss  and 
German,  February  1906-February  1908. 
President  Alpine  (Utah)  Stake,  1928-1941. 
Sustained  as  Assistant  to  the  Council  of  the 
Twelve,   April  6,    1941,   set   apart,   May  21, 

1941,  by  President  Heber  J.  Grant. 

ALMA  SONNE,  born  March  5,  1884,  at 
Logan,  Utah;  Missions:  Great  Britain,  1910- 
1912;  president  European  Mission,  October 
1946-November  1949.  President  Cache 
(Utah)  Stake.  Sustained  Assistant  to  the 
Council  of  the  Twelve,  April  6,  1941,  set 
apart,  May  26,  1941,  by  President  Heber  J. 
Grant. 

EL  RAY  L.  CHRISTIANSEN  born  July  13, 
1897,  at  Mayfield,  Utah.  Mission.?:  Central 
States  1924-25;  president,  Texas  Mission, 
May  1937- August  1941.  Bishop,  Draper 
(Utah)  First  Ward,  1935;  president  Logan 
Temple,  May  1943-February  1952;  president 
East  Cache  (Utah)  Stake,  March  1951- 
March  1952.  Sustained  as  Assistant  to  the 
Council  of  the  Twelve,  October  6,  1951;  set 
apart,  October  11,  1951,  by  President 
Stephen  L  Richards.  Director  of  Gene- 
alogical Society  December  9,  1953.  President 
Salt  Lake  Temple,  December  29,   1953. 

JOHN  LONGDEN,  born  November  4,  1898, 
at  Oldham,  England.  Mission:  Central 
States,  October  1921-March  1924.  Bishop 
Salt  Lake  City  Nineteenth  Ward,  September 
1925-September  1930;  assistant  LDS  service- 
men's co-ordinator,  1942-1945;  sustained  as 
Assistant  to  the  Council  of  the  Twelve, 
October  6,  1951;  set  apart,  October  11,  1951, 
by  President  J.  Reuben  Clark,  Jr. 

HUGH  B.  BROWN,  born  October  24,  1883, 
at  Granger,  Utah.  Missions:  British  Mission, 
September  1904-November  1906;  president, 
British  Mission,  1937-40  and  1944-46;  presi- 
dent Lethbridge  (Alberta,  Canada)  Stake, 
1921-27  and  Granite  (Salt  Lake  City)  Stake, 
1929-1936.     LDS   servicemen's  co-ordinator, 

1942.  Sustained  as  Assistant  to  the  Council 
of  the  Twelve,  October  4,  1953;  set  apart, 
October  20,  1953,  by  President  David  O. 
McKay. 

STERLING  WELLING  SILL,  born  March 
31,  1903,  at  Layton,  Utah.  Mission:  South- 
ern States,  January  1924-April  1926.  Bishop, 
Garden  Park  Ward,  Bonneville  (Salt  Lake 
City)  Stake,  1936-1946.  Member,  Sunday 
School  general  board,  1952  to  1954.  Sus- 
tained Assistant  to  the  Council  of  the 
Twelve,  April  6,  1954;  set  apart,  April  14, 
1954,  by  President  David  O.  McKay. 

THE  FIRST  COUNCIL  OF  THE 
SEVENTY 

LEVI  EDGAR  YOUNG,  born  February  2, 
1874,  at  Salt  Lake  City.  Missions  to  Eastern 
States,  1897,  Germany,  1901;  president,  Salt 
Lake  Temple  Square  Mission,  1922-35;  presi- 
dent, New  England  States  Mission,  1939- 
1941.  Sustained  as  a  member  of  the  First 
Council  of  the  Seventy,  October  6,  1909;  set 
apart,  January  23,  1910. 

ANTOINE  RIDGEWAY  IVINS,  born  May 
11,  1881,  at  St.  George,  Utah.  Mission: 
President,  Mexican  Mission  (headquarters  in 


California),    August    1931  to    March    1934. 

Sustained  as  a  member  of  the  First  Council 

of  the  Seventy,  October  1931;  set  apart, 
October  8,  1931. 

OSCAR  AMMON  KIRKHAM  born  January 
22,  1880,  at  Lehi,  Utah.  Mission:  German, 
1900;  executive  secretary,  YMMIA,  1909, 
having  been  previously  a  member  of  YMMlA 
general  board.  Sustained  as  a  member  of 
the  First  Council  of  the  Seventy,  October  5, 
1941,  set  apart,  October  18,  1941,  by  Presi- 
dent Heber  J.  Grant. 

SEYMOUR  DILWORTH  YOUNG  born 
September  7,  1897,  at  Salt  Lake  City.  Mis- 
sions to  Central  States,  January  13,  1920,  to 
October  1,  1922;  president,  New  England 
States  Mission  May  17,  1947,  to  April  1, 
1951.  Sustained  as  a  member  of  the  First 
Council  of  the  Seventy,  April  6,  1945,  set 
apart,  May  23,  1945,  by  President  George 
Albert   Smith. 

MILTON  REED  HUNTER  born  October 
25,  1902,  at  Holden,  Utah.  Sustained  as  a 
member  of  the  First  Council  of  the  Seventy, 
April  6,  1945.  Set  apart,  May  23,  1945,  by 
George  F.  Richards. 

BRUCE  REDD  McCONKIE,  born  July  29, 
1915,  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan.  Mission: 
Eastern  States,  October  1934  to  December 
1936.  Sustained  as  a  member  of  the  First 
Council  of  the  Seventy,  October  1946;  set 
apart,  October  10,  1946,  by  President  George 
Albert  Smith;  servicemen's  co-ordinator, 
June  1947. 

MARION  DUFF  HANKS,  born  October  13, 
1921,  at  Salt  Lake  City.  Missions:  Northern 
States,  February  1942-February  1944;  as- 
sistant director,  Temple  Square  Mission, 
1946.  Sustained  as  a  member  of  the  First 
Council  of  the  Seventy,  October  7,  1953;  set 
apart,  October  13,  1953,  by  President  David 
O.  McKay. 

THE  PRESIDING  BISHOPRIC 

JOSEPH  LEOPOLD  WIRTHLIN,  born  Au- 
gust 14,  1893,  at  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah.  Mis- 
sions: Swiss-German,  1913  (finishing  in 
Central  States),  Ensign  Stake  Mission,  1919- 
1920;  bishop,  Salt  Lake  City  Thirty-third 
Ward,  April  22,  1928,  to  April  14,  1935; 
president  of  Bonneville  (Salt  Lake  City) 
Stake,  October  28,  1935,  to  May  16,  1938; 
sustained  as  second  counselor  in  Presiding 
Bishopric,  April  6,  1938,  set  apart  April  14, 
1938,  by  President  Heber  J.  Grant;  first 
counselor  in  Presiding  Bishopric,  December 
14,  1946,  by  President  George  Albert  Smith; 
sustained  as  Presiding  Bishop,  April  6,  1952; 
set  apart,  April  10,  1952,  by  President  David 
O.  McKay. 

THORPE  BEAL  ISAACSON,  born  Septem- 
ber 6,  1898,  at  Ephraim,  Utah.  Set  apart  as 
second  counselor  in  the  Presiding  Bishopric 
December  12,  1946,  by  President  George  Al- 
bert Smith;  sustained  as  first  counselor  in 
the  Presiding  Bishopric,  April  6,  1952;  set 
apart,  April  10,  1952,  by  President  Stephen 
L  Richards. 

CARL  WILLIAM  BUEHNER,  born  Decem- 
ber 27,  1898,  at  Stuttgart,  Germany.  Mis- 
sion: Eastern  States,  1919.  Bishop  oLForest 
Dale  Ward,  Granite  (Salt  Lake  City)  Stake, 
August  2,  1938-January  24,  1942;  president 
Granite  Stake,  January  17,  1946  to  1951; 
member  general  welfare  committee,  Janu- 
ary 16,  1951;  set  apart' second  counselor  in 
Presiding  Bishopric,  April  10,  1952,  by  Presi- 
dent J.  Reuben  Clark,  Jr. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Your  Question 

(Concluded  from  page  782) 

"And  thou  art  after  the  order  of 
him  who  was  without  beginning  of 
days  or  end  of  years,  from  all  eternity 
to  all  eternity. 

"Behold,  thou  art  one  in  me,  a  son 
of  God;  and  thus  may  all  become  sons. 
Amen."2 

Today  there  are  foolish  daughters 
of  those  who  hold  this  same  priest- 
hood who  are  violating  this  com- 
mandment and  marrying  the  sons  of 
men;  there  are  also  some  of  the  sons 
of  those  who  hold  the  priesthood  who 
are  marrying  the  daughters  of  men. 
All  of  this  is  contrary  to  the  will  of 
God  just  as  much  as  it  was  in  the 
days  of  Noah. 

mid.,  6:66-68. 


Exploring  the  Universe 

(Concluded  from  page  773) 

Last  April  29th  Professor  J.  J.  Thom- 
son of  Cavendish  Laboratory,  Cam- 
bridge University,  England,  announced 
the  existence  of  some  particles  or  corpus- 
cles called  "electrons."  He  has  sum- 
marized all  the  evidence  and  concludes: 
"1.  That  these  particles  are  all  of  the 
same  mass  and  carry  the  same  charge  of 
negative  electricity  from  whatever  kind 
of  atom  they  may  be  derived,  and  are 
a  constituent  of  all  atoms.  2.  That 
atoms  are  not  indivisible,  for  negatively 
electrified  particles  can  be  torn  from 
them  by  the  action  of  electrical  forces, 
impact  of  rapidly  moving  atoms,  ultra- 
violet light  or  heat.  3.  That  the  mass  of 
these  particles  is  less  than  one-thou- 
sandth part  of  the  mass  of  an  atom  of 
hydrogen." 


LATE  GENTIANS 
By  Eva  Willes   Wangsgaard 

'Today  was  warm  as  any  summer  day. 

I  wandered   through  the  garden.    Grass 
was  green. 
Belated  roses'  blooming  made  a  gay, 
Cerise    intrusion    on   November's    scene. 
All  out  of  step  with  Time,  who  never  halts 
His   tortoise    steps   for    gardens   or   for   me, 
The     Indian    Summer    warmth,    seductive, 

false, 
Spread     living    jade    where    crystal     white 

should  be. 
I  gathered  azure  gentians.     Unaware, 
I   let   their   fringes   dew  with   falling    tears. 
They  were  your  eyes,  and  nothing  else  was 

there. 
I  stood  confronted  by  the  empty  years, 
Weeping    for    gentians,    neither    flesh    nor 

bone, 
All  my  bereavement  wakened  by  their  tone. 


NOVEMBER  1956 


announcing 

WINTER 
QUARTER 

NEW  CLASSES  START  JAN.  2 

"Personal  attention  and 
development   .    .    .   all   the 
advantages  of  a  small  school." 


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YOUR  ERA  SUBSCRIPTION  MAY  EXPIRE 

.  .  .  when  you're  least  expecting  it.  But  it  needn't.  For,  by 
knowing  the  expiration  date— and  by  renewing  at  least  two 
months  before  that  date  arrives— you  can  insure  against  miss- 
ing even  a  single  issue  of  The  Improvement  Era. 

Check  the  address  label  on  the  back  cover  of  one  of  your 
copies.  If  the  numbers  on  the  last  line  read  "037"  for  example, 
the  last  issue  we  can  mail  you  under  your  present  subscription 
will   be  March   1957. 

To  renew  just  mail  your  payment  of  $2.50  along  with  a 
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Church  Units  may  direct  their  inquiries  to  the 
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879 


MUTUAL  GIRLS  HONORED  AT  BANQUET 

I  ast  March  it  was  announced  that  the  young  men  of  Henefer 
Ward,  Summit  (Utah)  Stake,  had  made  an  excellent  record 
in  attendance  at  priesthood  and  Sacrament  meeting.  The  twenty- 
two  girls  enrolled  in  Mutual  decided  to  see  what  they  could  do. 
All  the  girls  had  achieved  at  the  end  of  the  MIA  year,  May  31. 
In  August  the  girls  were  honored  at  a  banquet  given  by  the  ward 
bishopric  and  their  wives. 

Those  in  the  picture,  left  to  right,  first  row:  Darlene  Richins, 
Sharon*  Wilde,  DiAnn  Wilde,  Saundra  Stephens,  Janice  Mischke, 
Mary  Ackerson,  Ann  Taylor.  Second  row:  Marilyn  Richins, 
Selma  Taylor  (Jr.  Gleaner  leader),  Ethel  Taylor  (Bee  Keeper), 
Melva  Richins  (YWMIA  president),  Violet  Ovard  (manual  coun- 
selor), Ruth  Francis  (Mia  Maid  leader),  Connie  Wilde.  Third 
row:  Dorene  Mischke,  Vera  Wright,  Nadine  Fawcett,  Frances 
Stephens,  Virginia  Tweed,  Ila  Dawson,  Joan  Foster  (attendance 
secretary),  Carol  Richins,  Cleone  Richins,  Marsha  Stephens.  Not 
present  when  the  picture  was  taken  were  Elsena  Jensen  Jones, 
Leone  Roberts  Creager,  and  Shirley  Francis. 


Fort  Stewart,  Georgia 
Dear  Editors: 

Oeing  so  far  away  from  our  home  in  Utah,  we  have  found  The 
Improvement  Era  our  one  sure  way  of  hearing  all  the  Church 
news.  We  especially  enjoyed  the  special  conference  issue.  Much 
of  the  time  we  have  been  unable  to  attend  our  meetings  since  it  is 
quite  a  long  drive,  and  we  always  look  forward  to  receiving  our 
Era  each  month. 

Thank  you  very  much  for  making  this  magazine  possible. 

Sincerely, 
hi  Sp-2  and  Mrs.  J.  N.  Stephens 


Washington,   Pennsylvania 
Dear  Editors: 

|  happened  to  procure  the  April  1956  issue  of  The  Improvement 
Era,  and  while  I  read  through  it,  I  liked  best  the  article  on 
"Archaeology  and  the  Book  of  Mormon." 

The  unsolvable  past  is  very  intriguing  to  me,  and  anytime  I 
read  "of  the  uncovering  of  the  past,  I'm  very  inquisitive  and  want 
to  learn  about  my  past! 

And  to  make  the  coincidence  more  mystifying,  I  saw  the  movie, 
Quest  of  the  Lost  City,  from  the  findings  by  the  Lambs,  a  husband 
and  wife  team  discovering  the  lost  city  of  the  Mayas  in  Central 
America. 

My  purpose  in  writing  is  to  find  out  if  I  could,  in  some  way, 
procure  back  issues  of  The  Improvement  Era,  to  have  the  com- 
plete file  on  that  article,  or  just  the  articles  themselves.  If  I  could 
get  either  request  filled,  I'd  be  more  than  pleased. 

I  would  be  pleased  to  hear  any  and  all  correspondence  relating 
to  the  above  subject. 

Yours  very  truly, 
/s/  Peter   Shulin 

t-^        -p. j.,  Glendale  6,  California 

Dear  Editors: 

T  have  stopped  before  completely  scouring  our  second  bathroom, 
and  the  two  small  -  fry  we  borrowed  (so  their  mom  can  have 
a  complete  hair-do  job)  are  jabbering,  and  the  sprinklers  have 
gone  well  beyond  their  time,  and  I  expect  our  grown,  hard-working 
teen-age  boys  home  momentarily  for  lunch:  BUT  I  must  imme- 
diately thank  you  humbly  and  sincerely  for  accepting  for  a  future 
copy  of  The  Improvement  Era,  "Secrets  are  Kept."  Can  you 
realize  how  much  lift  an  occasional  sale  of  a  poem  gives  a  poet, 
particularly  when  it  is  accepted  by  a  market  of  your  high  quality, 
dignity,  esteem,  and   circulation? 

Sincerely 
hi  Mrs.  Edith  M.  J.  Hounsell 

Dear  Editors:  Blue  SPrin^  Missouri 

Tt  is  impossible  to  write  in  just  a  few  words,  the  thankfulness  I 
feel    for   my   membership   in   the    Church   of    Jesus   Christ   of 
Latter-day  Saints.     Out  here  where  the  branches  of  the   Church 
are  small  and  far  between,  it  is  easy  to  stray  from  our  teachings. 

I  was  brought  in  contact  with  the  Church  after  a  ten  year 
absence,  and  this  second  chance  means  more  to  me  than  I  can 
say.  At  last  my  two  young  sons  are  in  Primary  and  Sunday 
School,  and  my  Catholic  husband  is  an  earnest  investigator. 

The  very  first  Sunday  that  I  came  back,  an  elderly  sister  sold 
me  a  subscription  to  The  Improvement  Era,  and  it  is  the  best 
way  I  know  for  my  family  and  me  to  become  acquainted  with  the 
leaders  of  this  great  Church. 

I  wish  all  the.  missionaries  I  have  known  and  those  who  so 
faithfully  explained  the  gospel  to  my  husband  could  know  of  the 
changes  and  the  happiness  in  our  home. 

Sincerely, 
hi  Mrs.  Joseph  De   Long 

P.S.  It  is  fourteen  miles  to  the  nearest  branch,  which  is  in 
Independence,  Missouri. 


ST.  GEORGE  STAKE  MIA  MAIDS  ACHIEVE 


A  fter  three  years  of  trying,  the  Mia  Maid  leaders  and  the  execu- 
**  tives  of  the  YMMIA  of  the  St.  George  (Utah)  Stake  reached 
their  goal — their  stake  Rose  Bouquet  tying.  Eighty-eight  Mia  Maids 
of  a  possible  117  girls  in  the  stake,  and  five  leaders  received  Mia 
Joy  awards.    The  theme  of  the  evening  was  "Stepping   Stones," 


which  led  past  four  mileposts:    First  Year  Mia  Joy  award,  Second 
Year  Mia  Joy  award,  Silver  Gleaner,  and  Golden  Gleaner  awards, 
on  to  temple  marriage.    Every  ward  in  the  stake  which  had  a  Mia 
Maid  class  had  an  assignment  on  the  program. 
Submitted  by  Mrs.  Elmer  Hall. 


I»I:».'1W>1 


880 


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child  in  the  shadows?  Behavior  problems  like  this 
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Childcraft,  Dept.  324A 

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Inquire  how  you  can  earn  a  set  of  Childcraft  for  your  family.  For 
full  information,  write  to  Mrs.  Lucile  Orr,  Childcraft,  Dept.  424A, 
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Please  send  me  FREE,  without  obligation,  my  copy  of  the 
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Name- 


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-Zo7ie_ 


-County- 
State— 


My  Children's  ages  are. 


#m  w  «■  #C«di»j||:#  ^P^PSBSiPv^ 


Why  it  pays  to  "be  prepared 


n 


After  arising  in  the  cold  pre-dawn,  and  strug- 
gling to  get  to  the  blind  in  time  for  the  first 
shooting,  these  boys  still  weren't  ready  when  the 
ducks  flew  over.  Like  many  of  us,  they  just  weren't 
prepared  for  their  opportunity. 

It's  pretty  much  the  same  with  money  matters. 
There  are  times  in  our  lives  when  we  need 
extra  money  for  special  purposes.    It  may   be  a 


business  opportunity,  a  chance  to  retire  when  we 
want  to,  or  to  give  our  children  a  fine  education. 
Whatever  the  objective,  Beneficial's  Planned  Fu- 
tures program  can  help  you  prepare  for  it.  But  you 
can't  wait  until  you  need  the  money.  Be  prepared. 
Make  a  date  with  your  friendly  Beneficial  Life 
agent  soon  .  .  .  and  let  him  tell  you  more  about 
the  benefits  of  a  Beneficial  "Planned  Future." 


Call  your  nearest  Beneficial  Life  agent  or  write  to  the  address  below 
for  complete  information  about  "Planned  Futures." 

BENEFICIAL  LIFE 


ompanu 


'Mkifaitwe 


47  West  South  Temple  X^O  ^/  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 
David  O.  McKay,  President